SFX Statistical Reports: A Primer for Collection Assessment Librarians

Abstract

SFX, an OpenURL link resolver, was implemented at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library in late 2005. Data from the SFX statistical reporting package are providing yet another look at how library users navigate and utilize electronic resources. However, unlike other statistical reports, such as electronic use statistics provided by vendors, SFX data cover both successful and unsuccessful links, meaning that libraries can identify items patrons wanted, but which were not (for some reason) available. And while SFX cannot totally replicate use data from publishers (since it cannot track bookmarked links resulting from use outside the library's links), it can provide statistical use data in place of publishers who simply do not offer this service, which often includes smaller or more specialized publishers. SFX data also cover multiple databases and vendors, combining use and nonuse data in one statistical package. This paper provides an overview of the 20 established statistical reports available through the SFX statistics module. Suggestions are offered for how the data from these reports can be used to answer questions about how academic journal collections and their indexes are being used and what users need but are not finding.