Lessons learned from analyzing library database usage data

摘要

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a project undertaken at SUNY Cortland to develop a system that would collect electronic resource usage data in a consistent manner and allow SUNY Cortland to assess this data over several years. Design/methodology/approach – The project used data gathered from EZProxy server log files to examine usage of the library's electronic resources. Findings – Through examining the usage data the library discovered that users were utilizing particular types of resources, from specific physical locations, and accessing those resources from specific pages in the library's web site. Originality/value – By examining usage data for electronic resources, libraries can learn more than which resources are being used. Usage data can give libraries insight into where, when, how, and possibly why their users are accessing electronic resources.