A study measuring the performance of electronic resources in academic libraries

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to provide an input-output analysis of electronic resources in academic libraries by verifying evaluation indicators and applying them to the digital library environment. Design/methodology/approach -This study measures the performance of electronic resources in academic libraries in Korea. To measure the efficiency of the input-output ratio, evaluation indicators were divided into inputs and outputs. Inputs refer to the e-resource use environment as well as the acquisition of e-resources such as web DB, e-books, e-journals, and so on. Outputs quantify the use of each resource. Findings -First, the results of this study show that a large share of academic library budgets is spent on e-resource purchases and e-resource environment improvement for better use. Second, the measurement shows that web DB subscription, annual e-resource development, and education for e-resource exhibit higher efficiency, while e-resource use, web DB and e-journal download exhibited relatively high efficiency. Third, when the input-output ratio is calculated in percentage terms, the efficiency of e-resources of Korean academic libraries reaches 88.20 per cent. Research limitations/implications -First, to measure performance accurately, results/effectiveness must be included. However, this study focused on quantifiable input and output factors. It is recommended that future research include user satisfaction and learning effects. Second, this study was conducted in a particular country (Korea). So it is advisable to conduct research to compare the results of this study to results in other countries. Originality/value -This study is the first research to consider the performance of electronic resources in depth. This paper contributes to improving the reliability of library evaluation.

Digital library evaluation measures in academic settings: Perspectives from scholars and practitioners

“…Noh (2010) suggested an array of specific quantitative indices for digital library usage, such as the annual number of the kinds of e-resources purchased per service recipient, the annual e-resource development cost per service recipient, and the number of e-book loans per service recipient, among others. Noh (2012) further elaborated the evaluation framework based on an analysis of the input and output of library resources. She measured the efficiency by calculating the ratio between the input and the output in a digital library context.…”

Efficiency assessment in university libraries

“…Other substantial inputs that can be found in this context are: "Student Enrollment" Kantor, 1998;Shim, 2003); "Fixtures, Computer and devices for using e-resources" (Osiewalski;Osiewalska, 2004;Noh, 2011Noh, , 2012; "Budget" (Jo et al, 2009;Noh, 2011;Shahwan;Kaba, 2013). …”

“…Xiaomei (2011) suggests an application of AHP model in Tianjin university library. Noh (2012) proposed a performance measurement model from a brainstorming session with Delphi panelists and experts to evaluate electronic resources in academic libraries in Korea.…”

E-Book user behaviour in academic libraries: The role of user agents in perception and satisfaction

“…Nicholas and White (2012) claim that students' demand for resources and services that are not limited by time and space is growing. Noh (2012) claimed that e-resources accounted for more than 50 percent of the overall budget of of Korean academic libraries. According to Armstrong and Lonsdale (2009), drivers in e-resource acquisition (including e-books) are distance education, short-loan or no-loan physical collections, need for multiple concurrent access, and advanced e-resource features and functions.…”