Message-Id: <mailto:199409031852.NAA20766@library.wustl.edu> Date: Sat, 3 Sep 1994 02:10:23 -0500 From: Sandeep Somaiya <mailto:sandeep@NEXT2.VTLS.COM> Subject: Use statistics To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB <mailto:IMAGELIB@ARIZVM1.BITNET>
Erin E Foley, Minneapolis Public Library [mailto:efoley@vz.umn.edu] wrote: >>Can anyone prove increased use of a collection with an online system?
>> .... [deleted].... Next step should be to put images online for browsing,
>>but I need to prove it will help. Any ideas?
In most projects which involve creation of "virtual digitized collections" from existing collections [in my experience] there is an increase in terms of "access". This is usually true because of at least one of the following reasons: a. Higher productivity for the patron, as the patron is "browsing" the collection online they can access the virtual collection "faster". Also they can jump from one type of collection to another. Plus, they can not only access the collection sequentially or in other words in a linear fashion but can also browse the collection in a "hypermedia" fashion where one thought might lead to another instead of one image leading to the next. b. Can access the collection from anywhere [if networked]: A virtual collection provides remote access. A patron need not be physically present on the library premises. They can be at home or thousands of miles away on another continent. c. A "virtual collection" is accessible 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. So is not dependent on library timing [if network accessible]. d. A lot of patrons don't feel comfortable asking a librarian about some topics that s/he might consider embarrassing to ask about etc., so because of "privacy" could lead to more access. e. If you are networked and allow access to remote users you can provide the same for your local users. They should be able to access other "virtual collections" that are available on the network. So you have the potential of creating a "meta-virtual collection" in addition to your own. Which should typically increase access. f. Another hook that your online browser can provide is that it can also act as a automatic "document delivery" or "fax" system for remote users; if that is acceptable quality for your collection. g. Potential profit center for library: Increased access at some point should increase the number of images that you might have to pull for people to look at but at some point this increased access should get you more photo-orders etc. h. And from the library staff point of you it should in typical cases bring the following advantages: preservation of collection, better security of collection, eliminate waste of staff time etc., higher productivity for library staff, less storage or library floor space usage, easy maintenance and updating of collection etc. etc. A lot our customers do benefit from one or more of the reasons above. I do accept that in some cases these arguments may not apply to a collection due its nature, copyright issues, size, budget etc. etc. But the good news is that technology today can provide all of the above benefits and more.... ! Erin, donot have any statistics to "prove" the benefits at this time but hope these arguments are helpful.Sandeep Somaiya
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