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Usage patterns of Punjab University Library website: a transactional log analysis study

Alia Arshad (Department of Library and Information Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan)
Kanwal Ameen (Department of Library and Information Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 2 February 2015

1391

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the usage patterns of a university library website to find out user’s behaviour of monthly use, its top most used resources and services and search phrases used to reach the library website.

Design/methodology/approach

Transactional log analysis (TLA) – an unobtrusive research method – was used to identify and analyse data of website-using patterns. The log data of website use from January 2011 to March 2011 were analysed for this study.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that the university library website was heavily used on campus by users; however, it was used by a significant number of clients residing off-campus. Free scholarly journals, resources downloaded, e-journals, e-books and donated personal collections were among the top most used resources and services. However, free scholarly journals were used more than subscribed e-journals accessible on-campus only.

Originality/value

This study first used the TLA method to trace user behaviour of website use in a local scenario. Assessing the usage of e-resources is imperative to determine the effectiveness of the library website in providing these services to its on-campus and distant users. The findings of this study are valuable for librarians and webmasters of the library website to redesign and reorient their services.

Keywords

Citation

Arshad, A. and Ameen, K. (2015), "Usage patterns of Punjab University Library website: a transactional log analysis study", The Electronic Library, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-12-2012-0161

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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