This comprehensive book will be useful to many libraries as they consider how to use e‐metrics to measure library performance and value. It extends statistical data collection and analysis into the electronic library environment. The co‐authors, both from the Health Sciences Centre Library at Stony Brook University, New York have had extensive experience with both libraries and information technologies.
The book is divided into three parts. The first section, entitled “What are E‐Metrics?” contains three chapters, outlines the development of e‐metrics, describes how they can be used by libraries and the current state of vendor‐supplied e‐metrics. Section two, ‘Why Do Libraries Need E‐Metrics?’ examines the value of pursuing e‐metric projects at the local library level. Each of the three chapters explores a particular aspect in detail – public relations, collection management and library administration. The third section, “How Do Libraries Build Local E‐Metrics?” describes a range of methodologies and technologies along with many detailed examples. The content of the four chapters encompasses project planning, data collection and analysis, technical considerations, staff skills and an exploration of future directions.
The usefulness of the text is enhanced by practical real‐library examples. In many cases these are described in terms of one or more of three library operational scenarios – Basic Library A, Intermediate Library B and Advanced Library C, each of which is defined in terms of infrastructure, IT support and technical services resources. Although the authors endorse COUNTER compliance, and indeed Chapter 3 is devoted to vendor‐supplied statistics, they strongly recommend that to fully understand the use of library e‐resources, additional data be collected, analysed and reported upon at the local library level. The use of a range of techniques and technologies including scripting, transaction log analysis and proxy servers are described in detail.
There are many tables and figures throughout the book, all well cross‐referenced and indexed. Many of these contain examples – ranging from data samples, data analysis processes, processing scripts and output reports. Each of the three Appendices adds detail to scripts discussed in the text. Most chapters include a list of references, all of which are cited in detail in the extensive Bibliography at the end of the book.
The first two sections of the book, which address the questions “What” and “Why”, are recommended reading for all library staff who wish to understand e‐metrics. The third section, “How”, will be particularly useful for hands‐on specialist staff.
