Start Date
18-11-2020 1:30 PM
End Date
18-11-2020 3:00 PM
Type of Work
Poster
Description
OBJECTIVE In January 2020, the Library migrated to a new Library Management System (LMS), Ex Libris Alma and Primo, that combines the functionality of a discovery service and the features of a traditional catalog. The Library’s eBooks, which were previously only accessible via a discovery service, are now discoverable along with other library resources via one access point. The objective of this study is to measure eBook usage over the 2017-2020 period as one means of determining the effect of user access points on eBook usage.
METHODS Counter Book Report 2 (R4) eBook usage statistics from January to August for the years 2017 to 2020 were obtained from the Library’s four major packages that contain eBooks – LWW Health Sciences Library, ClinicalKey, AccessMedicine, and Case Files Collection. 2017 was the first year when all four major packages had been acquired by the Library. One sample t-tests were performed to examine whether or not there was a statistically significant increase in eBook usage.
RESULTS The percent increase in eBook usage from January to August 2017 and January to August 2018 was 9.98%. The percent increase from January to August 2018 and January to August 2019 was 12%. Using a one sample t-test between percentages, at the .05 critical alpha level, the difference is not significant. t(1129)=1.45, p=.147. The percent increase from January to August 2019 and January to August 2020 was 37.09%. Using a one sample t-test between percentages, at the .05 critical alpha level, the difference is significant. t(1129)=12.893, p<.001.
CONCLUSIONS After the migration to the new LMS there was an overall significant increase in eBook usage. Investing time, such as merging eBooks into one access point, and money, i.e. the purchase of a robust LMS, may lead to increased eBook usage.
Included in
Cataloging and Metadata Commons, Collection Development and Management Commons, Health Sciences and Medical Librarianship Commons
Increasing eBook usage: The importance of investing time and money into access points
OBJECTIVE In January 2020, the Library migrated to a new Library Management System (LMS), Ex Libris Alma and Primo, that combines the functionality of a discovery service and the features of a traditional catalog. The Library’s eBooks, which were previously only accessible via a discovery service, are now discoverable along with other library resources via one access point. The objective of this study is to measure eBook usage over the 2017-2020 period as one means of determining the effect of user access points on eBook usage.
METHODS Counter Book Report 2 (R4) eBook usage statistics from January to August for the years 2017 to 2020 were obtained from the Library’s four major packages that contain eBooks – LWW Health Sciences Library, ClinicalKey, AccessMedicine, and Case Files Collection. 2017 was the first year when all four major packages had been acquired by the Library. One sample t-tests were performed to examine whether or not there was a statistically significant increase in eBook usage.
RESULTS The percent increase in eBook usage from January to August 2017 and January to August 2018 was 9.98%. The percent increase from January to August 2018 and January to August 2019 was 12%. Using a one sample t-test between percentages, at the .05 critical alpha level, the difference is not significant. t(1129)=1.45, p=.147. The percent increase from January to August 2019 and January to August 2020 was 37.09%. Using a one sample t-test between percentages, at the .05 critical alpha level, the difference is significant. t(1129)=12.893, p<.001.
CONCLUSIONS After the migration to the new LMS there was an overall significant increase in eBook usage. Investing time, such as merging eBooks into one access point, and money, i.e. the purchase of a robust LMS, may lead to increased eBook usage.