Designing a user and usage database to promote, market, and demonstrate the value of selected statewide databases: The Florida Electronic Library as an example

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to overview the development of a user and usage database, including multiple datasets that were combined to achieve multi‐faceted analysis of users and their usage of the Florida Electronic Library (a statewide, licensed database).

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the differences in the purposes and activities among the project's five phases, the research team employed a multi‐method approach to data collection, including content analysis of datasets, usability and functionality assessments of the beta database, and cross‐tab and descriptive statistical analyses of datasets in the final database.

Findings

Researchers found first that, although numerous potential datasets existed, not all could be collated into one interactive database due to variations in measurement levels, currency, and other factors. Ultimately, the database included usage and Census data, allowing the researchers to assess usage per capita and in the context of counties' demographic profiles. The research finds that creation of a multi‐dataset database can be complicated but is useful for developing data‐driving marketing recommendations.

Originality/value

Compiling various datasets describing users and usage of a consortial licensed database into one interactive database facilitates cross‐tabulation and comparison. This project will enhance digital library research, evaluation, and marketing by serving as an example of how to identify appropriate datasets for cross‐tabulation, develop a database that allows interactive searching, use the database to develop targeted marketing campaigns, and better describe impacts and value of these datasets.

Citation

McClure, C.R., Mandel, L.H. and Weissenberger, L.K. (2012), "Designing a user and usage database to promote, market, and demonstrate the value of selected statewide databases: The Florida Electronic Library as an example", Library Management, Vol. 33 No. 6/7, pp. 365-373. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121211266168