Library Management Statistics from an Integrated Library System (ILS)

The purpose of this study is to critique management reports provided by electronic databases. This will be done by discussing three database reports, an electronic report prepared locally and a local faculty assessment. The latter was created to seek endusersʹ reactions. The database-produced reports are: OCLCʹs FirstSearch Usage Statistics Online, SilverPlatterʹs Electronic Reference Library software-generated reports and Information Access Companyʹs SearchBank Usage Statistics. The fourth report was a record of the usage of only CD-ROM resources and was produced from the configuration of locally acquired software. Data from the fifth reporting method discussed, an assessment by faculty, is compared to that from the report-yielding features of the databases. Faculty in all disciplines offered at a regional university relied on their individual research experiences to provide information regarding the effectiveness of databases in filling the consumerʹs needs. While less than half of the faculty participated, questions designed to help assess research strategies, teaching methods and usefulness of specific databases provided much data. Analysis of the data collected electronically showed some remarkable similarities to facultyʹs self-reports of research and perceptions of studentsʹ research. Awareness of the electronic reports may increase the potential for faculty utilization of these resources in teaching and research. Contents of the electronic databases are either parallel paper subscriptions or are additional titles supplying indexing, abstracting and full text of journals and newspapers. Data showing interest levels in utilizing 22 electronic resources and their weaknesses in filling needs indicate strengths of the five reports as tools to direct management. Usefulness of the electronic reports is fully supported by the faculty assessment.