Capture Usage with E-Metrics

摘要

Libraries today provide services and resources in a hybrid operating environment: there is the physical library and there is the electronic one. Because of this, libraries can no longer rely solely on traditional building-based measures of use. Managers and staff need solid numbers about all library collections and services to understand how patrons are using their progressively networked environments. They also need to present these new types of use data to funders and other community stakeholders. Now these numbers are within reach with e-metrics (statistics for network services and resources). Libraries may undergo short-term pain in collecting e-metrics, but the long-term gains will be substantial. Failure to capture and report these data leads to under-counting the actual use of libraries, frus- trating the ability to demonstrate the true value of libraries to their communities.