Assessment of the impact of an open-URL link resolver

摘要

Purpose - This paper seeks to report a data-driven assessment of student and faculty use ofrnelectronic scholarly resources pre- and post-implementation of an open-URL link resolver.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Usage data were extracted from two multidisciplinary scholarlyrnaggregators pre- and post-implementation of an open-URL link resolver. Open-URL link resolverrnusage data for both aggregators were also collected and two timelines established. Statistical analysisrnwas performed to assess direct and indirect impact.rnFindings - Study results show that the implementation of an open-URL link resolver has directlyrncontributed to usage increase in the short and long periods under study. Usage patterns also indicaternthe technology has indirect impact.rnResearch implications/limitations - Limitations include one-semester limits of short-term data.rnNon-standardized data could be compared only within each aggregator.rnPractical implications - Research outcomes provide a tool for the assessment of student/facultyrnuse of electronic scholarly resources and Collections and Catalog librarian participation in teachingrnand learning. Usage data are increasingly available to librarians, so work based on research findingsrncan be assessed.rnOriginality/value - This paper reports student/faculty usage data of searching activities, not theirrnperceptions of electronic resources. Usage data demonstrate that librarians who select and providernaccess to electronic resources positively affect teaching and learning.