We thought of doing this procedure as well, but realized the data really had little merit.  The data assumed that patrons were checking out the material. We also had to factor in that patrons "browsed" and/or photocopied materials and returned to shelves before we could scan and store stats on the item. Some of our print titles are used heavily, but are not necessarily counted because the patron may use the entire volume or year and then reshelve the item. However, when we do run reports and examine titles that have a high usage stat, before cancelling, we examine its relevance to our collection, the cost of the print title vs electronic title as well as alternative access to the title.

Angel Hooper
Circulation/Serials Cordinator
University of Texas School of Public Health Library
P.O. Box 20186  RAS E115
Houston, TX 77225-0186
 
713-500-9124 or 713-500-9121
Or Speak My Name 713/500-9222

angel.e.hooper@uth.tmc.edu
http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/library/
 Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Anil Deshpande
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 12:38 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Print Serials in-house statistics

We are considering gathering usage statistics for print serials by using a bar
code Scanner and the in-house circulation module of our software. Has any
one had experience with this? Did the data you gathered help you make
decision about purchases? What benefits did you realize from a project like
this? Any suggestions are welcomed.