RE: COUNTER: current status and advice to users]

["Barbara Hampton" <redline3@earthlink.net>]

Sandy -

Among many possible decisions that might be driven by usage 
statistics:

1. Intensity of use suggesting the need for expanding relative 
proportion of a subject area, and vice versa, along with 
corresponding budgetary decisions about materials, technology, 
space planning, and staff;

2. A book of very high usage might warrant additional copies;

3. A book with no recent usage could be pulled for evaluation -- 
has it been superceded by a more up-to-date version or more 
user-friendly product? Is it in poor condition/difficult to 
locate or use? Does it have residual historical/archival value, 
and if so, should it be housed in a more appropriate collection?

4. Do variance in usage between subject areas suggest a need for 
improved B.I. or reference services in that field (because users 
aren't connecting with valuable resources)?

I'm sure you'll get many other reasons and benefits of usage 
statistics from a variety of perspectives.  While statistics, 
bureaucracy, and inefficiency may seem inexorably intertwined, 
thoughtful collection and analysis of these objective measures 
can enhance the quality of reference services and collection 
development that would result from a "seat of the pants" 
approach.

Barbara J. Hampton, J.D., M.L.S.
Reference Librarian
Ryan-Matura Library
Sacred Heart University