VALA2022 E-Poster Young

Who uses what? Visualising electronic resource usage by academic cohorts

VALA2022 E-Poster

Lachlan Young
  • Data Analytics Librarian
  • University of South Australia

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Abstract

In an era of shrinking budgets, academic libraries have to be able to justify the importance of their electronic resource spend using evidence. Traditionally we have been able to get an aggregate picture of the extent to which e-resources are being used across an institution. However, this aggregate usage may not fully reflect the importance of a resource within niche academic areas.

We present a project to incorporate user-identified e-resource access data from the OpenAthens authentication system into our institutional data warehouse. This project involved collaboration between the University Library, who obtain the raw data, and our Business Intelligence and Planning unit, who process the data into a usable model. Through this model, the data is de-identified and matched with our existing datasets that identify academic cohorts among staff and students. Using the University-wide Cognos data visualisation tool, the Library has created a range of interactive dashboards that highlight the relationships between e-resources and the academic areas that are making use of them.

The dashboards created by this project are available to all University staff, allowing them to be used for multiple purposes. Within the University Library, insights from the dashboards form part of our continuous review of subscriptions. When considering a resource for potential renewal or cancellation, we are able to see if usage of that resource is concentrated in a particular academic discipline or type of student. With this knowledge of who might be most affected by the decision, we can target our communications to relevant academic staff and gather feedback on the value of the resource within their discipline.

Academic liaison librarians are able to use insights from the dashboards as part of their promotional activities. We can provide lists of resources which are heavily used by particular units or particular programs, using this evidence to show that the Library is providing targeted support to these areas. We can show teaching academics the degree to which their students are engaging with scholarly resources, and show research academics the tools that their research degree candidates are relying on. We can also identify areas where resource usage is lower than expected, which could become candidates for additional promotion or expanded digital literacy training.

In the future we would like to encourage staff from across the University to explore the dashboards openly. By being transparent with our access data, we can help generate confidence that the Library budget is being spent wisely and well.

Biography

After a career spanning work in copyright, electronic resource management, reading lists and licensing, Lachlan Young became the inaugural Data Analytics Librarian at the University of South Australia in February 2020.

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VALA2020 Session 11 McQuillen

Innovative machine learning as a positive driver for digital disruption through automation in systematic review management: a review of available tools and their utilisation in Australia

VALA2020 CONCURRENT SESSION 11
Wednesday 12 February 2020, 15:25 – 15:50

Sarah McQuillen
  • Academic Librarian, Division of Health Sciences
  • University of South Australia Library
Kasthuri Anandasivam
  • Academic Support Librarian, Division of Health Sciences
  • University of South Australia Library

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Abstract

Librarians at the University of South Australia (UniSA) investigated systematic review (SR) software that incorporate machine learning technologies. The aim was to compare the capabilities of the University’s current tool ‘Covidence’ with alternatives used in Australia, to improve efficiencies during SR workflows. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to identify over 180 tools, many designed to accelerate a single task only. Covidence and ‘Distiller’ were found to offer the broadest range of features. As Covidence has been more widely adopted by Australian libraries, the authors conclude that ongoing access to Covidence is useful for cross-institutional SR conduct in Australia.

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VALA2014 Session 4 Velasquez

Usability of public library websites in Australia

VALA2014 CONCURRENT SESSION 4: User Discovery and Experiences
Tuesday 4 February 2014, 14:05 – 14:35
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2014-proceedings/vala2014-session-4-velasquez

Dianne Velasquez, Andree Brett, Robin Costelloe, Daniel Easterbrook, Margaret Parker and Amy Vanner

University of South Australia

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vala2014-logo-2

Abstract

The project is an assessment and evaluation of 221 Australian public library websites to determine whether they provide basic information to patrons. By replicating a study done in the U.S., the researchers determined what information was present on 20 variables.

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VALA2012 Session 9 Quilliam

VALA2012 Session 9 Quilliam

eMpowering Acquisitions for mediated selection

VALA2012 CONCURRENT SESSION 9: eStuff
Wednesday 8 February 2012, 14:20 – 14:50
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2012-proceedings/vala2012-session-9-quilliam

Jenny Quilliam and Eleanor Thomas

University of South Australia Library

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VALA2012VALA Peer Reviewed
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Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 2:20 PM AUSEDT, 25 Minutes 22 Seconds.

Abstract

An examination of the issues arising from implementation of a mandated e?preference collection policy for mediated and unmediated selection at a university library, this paper identifies the additional functionality and services needed from publishers, acquisitions vendors and integrated library systems providers to support the full span of collection development activities in a digital world. Issues discussed include reaction from clients, variation in publication lag time between formats, limited vendor support for mediated digital acquisitions, management of client and library staff expectations, incorporation of patron selections, importance of involving acquisitions staff in workflow redesign, and effect on performance targets.

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VALA2012 Session 8 Livingston

VALA2012 Session 8 Livingston

What is the catalogue?

VALA2012 CONCURRENT SESSION 8: New Directions
Wednesday 8 February 2012, 13:45 – 14:15
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2012-proceedings/vala2012-session-8-livingston

Helen Livingston

University of South Australia

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VALA2012
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Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 1:45 PM AUSEDT, 24 Minutes 4 Seconds.

 

Abstract

Full abstract details to be provided.

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