This paper presents methods to develop metrics that compare Big Deal journal packages and the journals within those packages. Deal-level metrics guide selection of a Big Deal for termination. Journal-level metrics guide selection of individual subscriptions from journals previously provided by a terminated deal. The paper argues that, while the proposed metrics provide helpful quantitative data for comparative analysis, selection of individual subscriptions must also involve informed judgment about a library’s subject coverage needs and alternative sources of access. The paper also discusses how replacing a Big Deal with a reduced number of individual subscriptions may affect the collections budget, use of other resources, and interlibrary loan.

To manage Web-based resources effectively, librarians need to evalu ate vendor-supplied data about their use. This article explores the types of data available, using as its starting point the elements defined by the International Coalition of Library Consortia's (ICOLC) "Guidelines for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-based Indexed, Abstracted, and Full-text Resources." It discusses the problems and issues of comparing use data from different vendors. Then, illustrated with data from one library, the article addresses five measures that have implications for collection management: variability of ICOLC data elements over time, which demonstrated the need to examine data continually; ratios of que ries per session, which showed more stability over time than individual ICOLC elements; use by hour, which documented remote use but con firmed that most use occurred during regular library hours; use of elec tronic journal collections, which was more scattered than the classic 80/ 20 distribution; and use of Web-based resources in relation to a disci plinary population, which provided an index of value for assessing use of a particular resource. This study identifies aspects of data collection that librarians need to pay special attention to, recommends that ven dors report the maximum number of simultaneous users per day and data gaps in addition to ICOLC elements, and suggests per capita use as a comparative measure among libraries.he proliferation of Web-based resources has greatly increased the information that libraries can deliver to their users' desk tops. These resources have great power and promise but come with substantial cost-the price of licensing them. Elec tronic versions of products often cost more than the print copy, and in most cases, the license allows for only a year of access, whereas the library purchases the print copy outright and can keep it 434

Fifteen preschool children, designated gifted by standard intelligence testing procedures, were matched with a nongifted preschool sample. The children were observed and rated on the degree of composite playfulness they established as well as on five constituent play dimensions. Results indicated the gifted children demonstrated higher degrees of physical, social, and cognitive play styles but were equivalent to the nongifted group in sense of humor and manifest joy. Significant sex differences were also obtained, with boys demonstrating more physical exuberance, active play patterns, teasing and joking during play, and less variety. Findings were discussed as they reflect on developmental changes through childhood and point to accelerated distributions for gifted children.

The ICOLC guidelines and Project COUNTER codes of practice have advanced the measurement of use of electronic resources. At the same time, innovations in functionality within and among electronic resources are changing the environment in which use is measured. The present article explores measures of sessions and searches for one research library’s electronic resources. The article analyzes the transition from vendor-specific to COUNTER-compliant statistics, how vendors measure the running of search alerts, and the effects of federated searching on reported use. The analysis suggests that innovations in functionality may have changed the meaning of sessions and searches. The analysis also suggests the following principle: innovations in electronic resource functionality will necessitate advances in electronic resource usage measures to describe use meaningfully.

A survey was used to study faculty use of, preferences for, and satisfaction with either the SPIRES/Prism or the BAS MENTOR interfaces for locally loaded Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). The findings showed no significant difference in faculty preferences for one or the other interface; however, faculty use of locally loaded databases was associated with having a campus computer account. The study also looked at use of other locally loaded databases by faculty in education and other social science disciplines. The limitations of the survey are addressed.