The Value of Electronic Resources: Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services (MINES for Libraries®) at the Ontario Council of University Libraries Catherine Davidson, Associate University Librarian, Collections, York University Martha Kyrillidou, Senior Director, Statistics and Service Quality Programs, ARL T he Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) is a consortium comprised of 21 member libraries that work cooperatively to enhance information services through resource sharing, document delivery, and other activities and services.2 OCUL implemented the MINES for Libraries® methodology to demonstrate the value of the electronic resources that the RLI 271 41 AUGUST 2010 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A BIMONTHLY REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services (MINES for Libraries®) is an online, transaction-based survey that collects data on library-user demographics (patron status and discipline affiliation), the purpose of use (funded or non-funded research, teaching, coursework, patient care and other), and the location of the user at point of use (on campus, in library or remote).1 The survey attempts to capture the value and impact of digital content determine how specific populations apply digital content to their work identify where library use originates to tailor services accordingly gather usage data on digital collections to justify funding and inform collection development decisions and assess the impact of networked electronic resources and services on teaching, learning, and research. MINES for Libraries® can be implemented both at individual libraries and at the consortium level the ability to compare data across libraries makes consortial implementations extremely useful as they inform decision making both within and across institutions. This article discusses such an implementation by the Ontario Council of University Libraries.
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