[LIBRARYDIR] which database number?

Mon Jul 11 08:19:20 PDT 2016

Cheyenne,

I'm discouraged that we don't have standardized data points from software  vendors.  For instance, Statistical Abstracts just discontinued # of sessions and we only have retrievals.  Films on Demand are tracking logins, not sessions.

I look at the number of retrievals since it seems to be the most consistent, but it would be helpful to understand the data better and how to use it.  For instance, do all the databases count retrievals the same way?  Would it make sense to calculate the number of retrievals per session?  Also, retrieval does not mean that the student thought the document was useful .

What about the databases that are not 100% full-text?  Students may be using the citations to request interlibrary loans or search online for the documents.  Many of our database reports only count full-text retrievals.

I need to explore this topic a little more.

Mindy

Mindy Coslor, Ph.D.

Director of Library Services

Skagit Valley College

360.416.7761

________________________________
From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> on behalf of Ferrari, Ahniwa <ahniwa.ferrari at ghc.edu>
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 11:36 AM
To: WACTC Library Directors
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] which database number?

I prefer using "full text retrieved" or its equivalent when determining the usefulness of a database and making internal decisions to renew, reprice, etc. It is, in my opinion, the best indication of if and when students are finding materials useful to their studies.

I'd opt for a naturally higher number if using to promote how awesome the library is to the school, ask for more money, etc. In that case I'd leverage the "searches" numbers since they are naturally the biggest.

----

Ahniwa D. Ferrari

Associate Dean for Library, E-Learning, and Media Services

Grays Harbor College | 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive | Aberdeen, WA 98520

ahniwa.ferrari at ghc.edu | p. 360-538-4050 | f. 360-538-4294

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Roduin, Cheyenne
Sent: Friday, July 8, 2016 7:45 AM
To: librarydir at lists.ctc.edu
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] which database number?

Good morning all,

I am curious about what number your library looks at (or reflects when asked about database use) to determine use. Databases come with numbers that reflect "sessions" and also that reflect "searches". I am very curious which number your library focuses on and why and how you use that number (i.e. to determine renewal, to promote to institution, to leverage more money, etc.).

Any thoughts you could share would be helpful.

Thanks

Cheyenne M. Roduin

Library Director

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3000 NE 4th St. Renton, WA 98056

Phone: 425-235-2352, ext. 5571

Email: croduin at RTC.edu<mailto:croduin at RTC.edu>

www.RTC.edu<http://www.rtc.edu/>

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