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Library and Information Science Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Public libraries

1999

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Library and Information Science

Patterns Of Use And Usage Factors For Online Databases In Academic And Public Libraries, Carol Tenopir, Danielle Green Nov 1999

Patterns Of Use And Usage Factors For Online Databases In Academic And Public Libraries, Carol Tenopir, Danielle Green

School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works

Database usage data from a random sample of academic and public libraries in the U.S. and Canada reveals patterns of use in selected types of libraries. Library users in both public and academic libraries tend to use commercial online databases most frequently early in the week, mid-day, and at times that correspond to the academic calendar (November in this sex-month sample.) The mean number of simultaneous users is correlated with the size of the population served and the number o workstations available, but relatively low numbers of users are simultaneously logged on to research databases at all sizes of libraries. …


Simultaneous Usage Of Online Databases In Academic And Public Libraries, Carol Tenopir, Danielle M. Green May 1999

Simultaneous Usage Of Online Databases In Academic And Public Libraries, Carol Tenopir, Danielle M. Green

School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works

Pricing based on the number of simultaneous (concurrent) users is an attractive pricing option for many academic and public libraries. Anticipating the needed number of simultaneous usage ports, however, often requires guesswork. If too few simultaneous users are allowed, patrons may be frustrated; too many and the library is paying for unused access. Usage patterns for academic and public libraries help take the guesswork out of the simultaneous user calculation. Six months of usage data (July-December) from a random sample of approximately 200 academic and public libraries that access online databases from a major database aggregator show similarities and differences …