Getting Started With Electronic Reference Statistics: Case Studies and Best Practices for Collection and Analysis

Authors

  • Elaine H. Dean Penn State Hershey Harrell Health Sciences Library
  • Maureen Williams Neumann University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2013.16

Abstract

Collecting reference statistics is an important facet of academic librarianship. Having accurate, shareable data about the services a library provides is key to understanding the needs of users and highlighting the importance of the library within the overall institution. While many libraries collect reference statistics on paper, gathering this data using an electronic statistics system is an efficient and customizable way to track and analyze reference service trends. By detailing Neumann University Library and Harrell Health Sciences Library’s experiences with two different but equally effective systems, this article will explore the complexities of implementing, customizing, and analyzing the data from an electronic reference statistics system. The authors also discuss challenges encountered and offer recommendations and best practices for others wishing to explore electronic reference statistic collection.

Author Biographies

Elaine H. Dean, Penn State Hershey Harrell Health Sciences Library

Elaine H. Dean is the Reference and Instruction Librarian at the Penn State Hershey George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library.  She earned her MLS from the State University of New York (SUNY) University at Buffalo in 2010 and BA in Geography from the SUNY College at Geneseo in 2006.

Maureen Williams, Neumann University

Maureen Williams is a Reference Librarian and Coordinator of Information Literacy at Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania. She earned her MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 and her BA in English from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania in 2007.

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Published

2013-10-14

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Practice

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