Augmenting discovery data and analytics to enhance library services

Abstract

Discovery services have become a norm in academic libraries. Usage data from these services has historically emphasized quantitative data such as full-text downloads, numbers of searches performed and title usage. Okanagan College Library incorporated Google Analytics into their discovery service in order to go beyond vendor-supplied quantitative data and obtain valuable qualitative information about users. This information can now be used to shape library services such as collection development, public services and interface design. The user-behaviour data findings are presented, along with suggestions for using this information to enhance library services.

A transaction log analysis of EBSCO Discovery Service using Google Analytics: the methodology

“…The small number of publications on this topic furthermore tend not to include information transparently, making it difficult for subsequent researchers to reproduce studies accurately and potentially making the prospects of starting a TLA project daunting for those new to this data collection method. Janyk (2014) discusses how discovery data can be used to enhance library instruction by using Google Analytics to analyze user behavior in EDS. However, she does not describe the steps necessary for using Google Analytics for data collection nor provide the methodology used for her analysis, thus, nullifying the replication of her study design by other researchers.…”

Discovery is the researcher’s dream

“…1 Likewise, libraries have begun to leverage tools such as Google Analytics for their own discovery services and Google Maps for GIS (geographic information system) services, highlighting the increasingly symbiotic relationship between library and open web discovery. 2 To meet the needs of information users growing increasingly accustomed to single search box technology, libraries began working with vendors in earnest around 2010 to implement resource discovery systems provided by EBSCO, Ex Libris, ProQuest, OCLC and others. With the arrival of vendor-based discovery services in libraries, a wide array of implementation case studies were published.…”