SPEC Kit 341: Digital Collections Assessment and Outreach · 193
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Library Associate: eCollection Assessment
http://www.hr.uwaterloo.ca/.jd/00005475.html
important source of information but understanding and interpreting those statistics can be challenging
because each vendor has its own way of counting use and then presenting the statistics. To help
overcome these challenges, a non-profit company, COUNTER* Online Metrics, has worked with
publishers, librarians and others throughout the world to develop an international set of standards and
protocols governing the recording and exchange of online use statistics. The incumbent develops and
maintains an awareness of current and evolving COUNTER Codes of Practice and the implications
that the Codes have for understanding and interpreting vendor supplied use statistics. To facilitate
obtaining vendor supplied statistics, the incumbent maintains a web site with passwords and other
information needed to access vendor sites. *Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources
Because the incumbent is heavily involved in obtaining, manipulating and presenting statistics to
others, he/she develops and maintains a high level of competency with appropriate software such as
Excel or Access.
When statistics are required, the incumbent works with the requestor to ensure a clear understanding of
the need and to help the requestor understand their options in light of what is available. If necessary,
the incumbent may help the requestor modify the request in accordance with what can be provided.
Once a request has been well defined and time lines established, the incumbent obtains the necessary
statistics and reviews them to identify anything that suggests that they may not be accurate. The
incumbent investigates apparent discrepancies or anomalies so that they can be either corrected or
accounted for. To help with such investigations, the incumbent maintains an awareness of activities or
developments that may influence the statistics. Once the statistics are available, the incumbent
massages and formats them for presentation to the requestor. When necessary, the incumbent
normalizes statistics so that they can be compared appropriately with other statistics. In addition, the
incumbent provides explanations and interpretations of reports, and as appropriate draws conclusions
that may assist the requestor.
Because the incumbent will routinely receive requests from multiple librarians or managers in a short
time, he/she works with each requestor to establish priorities and to ensure that multiple requests can
be managed effectively and that deadlines can be met.
In addition to responsibilities related directly to providing statistical support, the incumbent is a
member of the Information Resources Management Committee, serving especially as a resource on
matters related to statistics participates in the gathering and presentation of statistics for annual reports
for the Association of Canadian Research Libraries (CARL) and the Association of Research Libraries
(ARL), and any similar reports that might be needed and works regularly scheduled shifts at the Davis
or Dana Porter information services desk. As time and opportunity allow, the incumbent may also
participate in the work of other committees or projects.
Statistical Data
Specific Accountabilities
Develops and maintains an in-depth working knowledge of sources for collections related
statistics and other types of information.
1.
Develops and maintains an awareness of current and evolving COUNTER* Codes of Practice
and the implications that the Codes have for understanding and interpreting vendor supplied use
statistics.
2.
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