Database AnalysisWest Virginia State University

Jenn ZuccaroLeadership Institute

November 2012

Summary Goals Structure Outcomes Actions Taken or Needed Challenges Insights & Learning from Leadership

Institute Conclusion

Overview

With a limited budget and ever changing needs of students and faculty we wanted to see exactly what we are offering our users and where if any changes could be made.

This project took an overall look at the usage of the periodical department, with a focus on the databases.

Content overlap was looked at, to see if we could be spending our limited budget more effectively.

Summary

Pinpoint problems with database collection Is there a lot of overlap? – can something be

done? Are there gaps in the periodical collection

that can be immediately addressed? Are we meeting the needs of

faculty/students? Fulfill part of library portion of University

Strategic Plan ◦ Update/Improve collection

Project Goals

Conversation with academic departments Compared usage statistics

◦ Interlibrary Loan requests◦ Database abstract & full text requests◦ Print & microfilm usage

Compared database full text availability

Structure

Expected◦ Identified most requested titles◦ Identified overlapping databases◦ No one really misses print indexes◦ More electronic titles requested, no print wanted

Unexpected◦ Realized a larger communication gap with users

exists than we were aware of

Outcomes

Added some of the most requested titles Reevaluate the goals/purpose of the

department◦ Immediate research needs vs. repository for

periodicals Plan to move towards better communication

with users◦ How to make them aware of what we have

Actions Taken or Needed

Staffing uncertainty Additional library responsibility Communication with vendors Technical glitches

Challenges

Change Management Collaboration

◦ Asking for help

Insights & Learning from Leadership Institute

Begin to plan for the future of the Drain-Jordan Library

Conclusion

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