A Tool for Managing Library Information System Resources: Software Measurement Across Local Area Networks (SMALAN)

Abstract

From the 1994 CAIS Conference: The Information Industry in Transition McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. May 25 - 27, 1994.The increased use of CD-ROM databases in academic libraries comes at a time when dwindling budgets have put pressure on university libraries to justify all expenditures, and particularly the large expenditures associated with these databases. This has hastened the need for better management information about network use of these databases to substantiate hardware and software requirements, remote access desirability, technical support needs, and to reduce their associated costs. This paper examines research being conducted at McGill University to develop a software tool to measure CD-ROM use across a multiple segment local area network with a target user population in excess of 2,000 students and faculty members. The rationale for the project is discussed, details are provided about programming considerations, and examples are given of how the information can be used.