Citation
(1999), "International Coalition of Library Consortia announces Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-Based Indexed, Abstracted and Full Text Resources", Asian Libraries, Vol. 8 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1999.17308dab.034
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
International Coalition of Library Consortia announces Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-Based Indexed, Abstracted and Full Text Resources
International Coalition of Library Consortia announces Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-Based Indexed, Abstracted and Full Text Resources
Looking to increase the understanding of information usage, the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) announces its "Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-Based Indexed, Abstracted and Full Text Resources". This is the second statement issued by the ICOLC to provide an international perspective on preferred practices in the licensing and purchasing of electronic information. This ICOLC document is based on the work of the JSTOR Web Statistics Task Force but expands on that work in order to reflect the diversity of resources licensed by the many ICOLC members.
The Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-based Indexed, Abstracted and Full Text Resources describe the types of use data and measurement that the ICOLC members expect from vendors of Web-based indexed, abstracted, and full-text resources. The ICOLC requires statistical use information for their member libraries, "to ensure that the value of licensed electronic resources is fully understood in the consortium setting", according to Sue Phillips, University of Texas System Digital Library director and ICOLC representative. "Adequate delivery of usage information is an integral and required part of any electronic product licensed by a consortium", she said.
Usage data gathered in the ICOLC-recommended categories will enable consortia and vendors to analyze use and frequency of use without violating the individual's privacy. The guidelines define information elements the ICOLC considers vital, as well as the variety of reports necessary for accurately analysing use data within a consortium membership.
Elements covered by the guidelines include queries, menu selections, sessions or logins, turnaways due to simultaneous user limits, and items examined. Other information-specific requirements include user, institutional and consortium confidentiality; comparative statistics; and secure access to statistical reports via the Web.
This statement is endorsed by consortial representatives of the ICOLC from the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia. The complete guidelines can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia Further information about the ICOLC and its participating consortia can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia