A worldwide survey of over 300 librarians reveals that usage statistics
influence purchasing decisions for 86% of librarians
Bangalore, 21st October 2010 - A survey of over 300 librarians around the
world conducted by MPS Limited found that 97% of librarians use usage
statistics, with 87% of librarians using COUNTER-compliant usage statistics
for eJournals, and 66% for eBooks. Almost half of those who aren't yet using
COUNTER-compliant usage data for eBooks expect to do so within the next
year.
A total of 313 librarians, mainly from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand,
mainland Europe, and Canada responded to the survey. Over half are directly
responsible for purchasing and cancellation decisions and the survey
revealed that librarians attach much greater weight to COUNTER reports than
to other usage statistics.
For 86% of respondents, usage statistics influence their purchasing
decisions. When asked how useful COUNTER-compliant usage reports are, 90% of
librarians stated that they are vital or important for eJournals and 74%
find them vital or important for eBooks, a much higher proportion than for
non-compliant usage data.
Rajiv Seth, MD and CEO of MPS, commented on the results: "This survey
clearly indicates that usage statistics, and COUNTER reports especially, are
critical for librarians, particularly when it comes to purchasing decisions.
It was interesting to note that 86% of those who are already using COUNTER
usage statistics for eBooks say that they are vital or important. We will
continue to help both book and journal publishers meet this demand from
their institutional buyers."
MPS also conducted 17 interviews with librarians from major institutions
worldwide to gain a deeper insight into the use of usage statistics. The
findings from the interviews confirmed the growing importance of COUNTER
reports for eBooks. As Sarah Stamford of the University of Cambridge noted,
"We always ask if an eBook vendor is compliant and we only accept those that
are either already compliant or are working towards compliance."
The full results of the survey are available:
http://macmillanpublishingsolutions.com/AboutUs/librarian_survey.aspx?utm_so
urce=PR20101020&utm_medium=pdf&utm_content=Counter&utm_campaign=Librarian-Su
rvey
About MPS
In today's digital world, content is becoming ever more sophisticated and
increasingly inseparable from technology. MPS Limited, a Macmillan company
with over 30 years of relevant experience serving major publishers
worldwide, is helping the world navigate this new market by creating
high-quality solutions designed to transform and enrich content for print,
online, and mobile media. MPS is one of only three intermediaries to be
COUNTER-compliant for eBooks as well as eJournals and databases and handles
COUNTER reports for both book and journal publishers through its MPSInsight
platform.
CONTACT:
Europe
David Robertson
+44 (0) 207 843 4861
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USA
Marie Duignan
+1 978 922 1955 x234
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India
Vikas Dhandhania
+91 80 4178 4242 x225
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lis-e-resources is a UKSG list - http://www.uksg.org/serials
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