Library metrics Data collection Relational database software
Statistics are an important tool in management decision-making. Every area of the library performs work that is measurable in some way. In many libraries data on collection activities results from daily routines and is facilitated by integrated library systems, but the collection of data on reference activities is left to periodic sampling, generated by hand tallying. In 1994 at the Medical Sciences Library of Texas A&M University we began to investigate, design, and implement a method of collecting statistical data on the computer based on a program developed at the Houston Academy of Medicine/Texas Medical Center Library in 1993. By 1995 we had a fully functional, customized Management Information System, using the Paradox relational database software, that tracked not only client serve interactions at the reference desk, but also administrative operations such as billing. The system was migrated to Microsoft Access in 1998. The MIS is still used to track reference desk transactions, mediated searches, librarian-taught classes, and activities in the Clinical Veterinary Librarian program.
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Details
Title
Building a management information system
Creators
Nancy Burford (Author)
Publication Details
pp.76-78
Conference
International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists, 4 (Budapest, Hungary, 08/06/2003 - 08/09/2003)
Academic Unit
4 ICAHIS, Szent Istvan University (Veterinary University of Hungary), Budapest, Hungary, 6 - 9 August 2003; International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists
Publisher
Veterinary Science Library, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary (with the support of the Ministry of Education)
Grant note
OVID (main sponsor), CAB International, Minerva, Intervet, Biome, Hungarian Ministry of Education, National Scientific Research Fund (Hungary)
Identifiers
963 9483 35 4; 99900501657001842
Copyright
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/