Tracking Patron Interactions Online, All the Time: Comparing Tools for Collecting Reference Statistics
Martha E. Hardy, Lisa McGuire, Amy West · DigitalCommons-Macalester (Macalester College) · 2009
POSTER SESSION PROGRAM Tired of making hash marks on paper to track reference interactions? Concerned about the reliability of the data you currently collect? Would you like to know more about the nature of these transactions? Would you like to make better use of your reference statistics? A variety of online tools can improve collection and reporting of detailed data regarding library reference transactions. In this poster, we will compare three types of online tools for collecting data about reference transactions: licensed, open source and online forms builders. The poster will reflect the experiences of three libraries who have or are in the process of implementing systems for tracking reference statistics online: the Bio-Medical Library, University of Minnesota Libraries; the University of Minnesota Libraries (entire system); and, the Metropolitan State University Library.