Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 08:31:58 -0700
From: "C.D. Thompson" <cathompson@UPS.EDU>
Subject: Databases for journal statistics - Summary

So far, I have received 6 responses to my query regarding databases being
used for journal statistics. Thank you for your responses.

Carmel Thompson
University of Puget Sound

*******************************

We have been doing a usage study of our periodicals very similar to the
one you describe. We record the data from that study in Microsoft Acess.
I would recommend using Acess.  We had used Paradox in the past, but not
for very long.  When we bought Microsoft Office we switched to MS Acess.

So far we have not had to cancel many titles, but expect that the data
will be helpful if we have any budget cuts in the future.

Good luck with your work.

Jo Ann

****************************************************************
Jo Ann Toussaint
O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library      phone: (612) 962-5409
University of St. Thomas        fax:   (612) 962-5406
2115 Summit Avenue              email: j9toussaint@stthomas.edu
Saint Paul, MN  55105
****************************************************************

I have been using Q & A 4 since 1994 to keep a variety of statistics on
periodicals in our library.  I use it to track use statistics, cost, titles
to be bound, microfilm, and overall holdings.  I generate our paper holdings
list from this database, as well as subject lists for accreditation reviews.
I have used it to identify material to drop (due to high cost/low use), and
I have used detailed back-year use statistics to implement limited retention
for some titles.

I am planning, eventually to switch over to MSACCESS, because Q&A, though I
love it and find it easy to use, is really obsolete.  My new printer won't
recognize the file drivers!  The plus is that this database will do everything
for me that my fancy automated serials system (DRA MultiLIS) can't do!

Nancy Williamson, Periodicals Librarian
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY  11530
516 572-7402
williamn@sunynassau.edu

*******************

Hi Carmel,
We at Northern KY U. have been using Paradox (5.0 for Windows) to compile
usage statistics for a year. I am pleased with with the software, and have
been able to get all the reports and numbers I have wanted. I have never
used another database, however, so I cannot speak of Paradox's relative mertits.

Tim Lawrence            NKU Steely Library
lawrence@nku.edu

*********************
Good morning,

I am really interested in the responses you get.  We also have been
using Paradox to keep track of periodical, micro, etc uses and are in
the process of switching to MCAccess for this purpose.  Needless to
say, I am having some difficulty learning how to move around in
windows and wish I could go back to Paradox.

I hope in a year that I will "love" mcaccess as many people tell me I
will.

Thanks for bringing up this subject.

     Carrie Ferm
     Periodical Section
     Augustana College Library
     3435 9 1/2 Avenue
     Rock Island, IL  61201

(309)794-7316
e-mail:  alicf@augustana.edu

******************************

We do basically the same thing you do, except we enter our statistics in
QuickDOC.  It's an interlibrary loan statistics program, but we made a copy
of it that we use specifically for in-house usage (with the program owner's
permission, of course!!).  We find that we get pretty good statistical
information using this.

We also are not yet barcoded; we are hoping to remedy that sometime in the
near future and hope at that time that we can find an easier method (scanning
in barcodes to track usage).

Looking forward to seeing the other responses you receive - please do post to
the list!!

Joann Gumz
Marshfield Clinic Medical Library
1000 N Oak Ave
Marshfield  WI  54449

gumzj@mfldclin.edu

********************************
Carmel-  Here at the Health Sciences Library, University of Washington,
I'm using MSAccess to keep track of our use statistics.  I find it a very
good database for this purpose.  You can manipulate data easily.  If you
have some database experience, it is not difficult to learn.  Let me know
if you'd like more information.

Connie Worley

=====================================================
Constance Worley         cworley@u.washington.edu
Head, Serials Section
Health Sciences Library & Information Center
University of Washington
Box 357155
Seattle  WA  98195
Tel: 206-543-3437             Fax: 206-543-8066
=====================================================