Evaluating the relevance of vendors' usage statistics to the collection management of electronic resources in New Zealand academic libraries

Abstract

Academic libraries are subscribing to an increasing number of electronic resources, which require effective collection management principles, policies and procedures. Vendors' usage statistics for e-resources can be a valuable tool for informing collection management decisions. This study looked at whether librarians in New Zealand academic libraries use vendors' usage statistics to facilitate their collection management decision-making, and whether vendors' usage statistics are meeting their needs. This mixed methods study was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, data was gathered from vendors on usage statistics supplied to the University of Otago for databases and e-journals. During the second phase, librarians at 19 of the 32 academic libraries in New Zealand responded to a survey conducted to elicit how useful they found vendors' usage statistics. The study did not find a significant correlation between usage statistics currently provided by the vendors and those desired by academic librarians. However, the study did find that New Zealand academic libraries do use vendors' usage statistics for informing collection management decisions. In contrast to previous work, this study found that the usage statistics desired by librarians at different academic libraries varied, and that customizable usage statistics would be valuable. In concurrence with findings of previous studies, the study also found that the lack of standardization in vendors' usage statistics limited their usefulness and was a key concern for many academic librarians.