大學圖書館電子期刊使用統計研究

Abstract

期刊由於內容新穎且出版迅速，向為大學圖書館重要館藏類型，電子期刊是電子化館藏的一種，具有便於查找與下載全文等特性與優勢，廣受研究者歡迎。近年來減少紙本期刊訂單並增加電子期刊訂購比例，已是大學圖書館期刊採購業務的整體趨勢，電子期刊數量大幅成長，亦成為大學圖書館館藏發展及服務提供的重心。為了解電子期刊是否有效地被利用，並且能夠在電子期刊館藏發展方向做出正確的預測與決策，圖書館更需要借助電子期刊使用統計數據以幫助圖書館進行評估，作為期刊採購決策以及圖書館服務規劃之參考。本研究擬自圖書館角度出發，探討國內綜合性大學圖書館對於電子期刊使用數據的關注與應用發展，包含：（一）大學圖書館對於電子期刊使用數據蒐集現況及政策；（二）大學圖書館運用電子期刊使用數據領域、困難及產生之影響；（三）大學圖書館館員對於電子期刊使用數據未來發展的看法與建議，並歸納整理各方意見提供參考。

本研究在研究設計上採取質化研究取向，以半結構式深度訪談法蒐集資料，對國內10 所綜合性大學圖書館共14位館員進行訪談，並歸納訪談內容得到以下結論：（一）關於大學圖書館電子期刊統計蒐集政策：1.電子期刊使用數據已成為大學圖書館基本統計項目；2.大學圖書館重視電子期刊使用數據的蒐集；3.圖書館因應不同目的蒐集電子期刊各種數據；4.大學圖書館電子期刊使用數據的蒐集、維護與管理面臨多重限制與困難。（二）關於大學圖書館電子期刊使用數據之運用：1.大學圖書館電子期刊使用數據之運用與其實務運作需求有關；2.大學圖書館電子期刊使用數據之運用須瞭解數據可能之限制；3.大學圖書館期望運用電子期刊使用數據產生採購與資源服務推廣之效益。（三）大學圖書館館員對於電子期刊使用未來發展的看法與建議：1.強調電子期刊使用數據之長期性蒐集及保存工作；2.圖書館現有標準技術與蒐集政策會影響電子期刊統計數據相關業務之運作；3.COUNTER電子期刊統計規範應符合不同類型圖書館之特別需求。

最後根據文獻及訪談結果分析，對大學圖書館電子期刊使用數據之收集與運用提出以下建議：（一）建置我國大學圖書館核心電子期刊使用數據蒐集項目，以提高圖書館於蒐集分析電子期刊使用數據業務之作業效益，並且為圖書館間統計資料之分析作業，提供一致性的比較基礎。（二）積極蒐集管理運用電子期刊使用數據並建立配套機制，包括：1.掌握電子期刊點擊次數與全文下載篇數的關係；2.建立符合圖書館個別需求的電子期刊使用數據蒐集與分析機制。

With the need for current content and rapid publication, journals are generally recognized as an important collection in university libraries. Electronic journals are widely preferred by researchers because they are easily researched and downloaded. Because electronic journals cost more than other resources, the data and statistics of electronic journal usage have been comprehensively analyzed by university libraries to ensure that electronic journals deserve the majority of their resource budget. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to explore the attitudes, policies, and difficulties of university libraries regarding electronic journal usage statistics; (2) to investigate the primary fields and ways university libraries apply electronic journal usage statistics and the resulting influence; and (3) to understand the perspectives and attitudes of university librarians toward the application of electronic journal usage statistics.

This study conducted 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews at 10 university libraries to investigate their current applications of electronic journal usage statistics. Based on the results, we reached the conclusions presented below. (A) Regarding the university libraries’ electronic journal usage statistics collection policies: (1) Electronic journal usage statistics comprise the majority of library statistics. (2) University libraries value the statistics of electronic journal use, especially the “number of clicks or hits” and “number of documents downloaded.” (3) The electronic journal usage statistics collected and maintained by university libraries vary according to organizational needs. (4) University libraries continue to encounter difficulties and challenges in collecting, maintaining, and managing electronic journal usage data. (B) Regarding the applications of electronic journal usage statistics by university libraries: (1) The application and interpretation of electronic journal usage data depend on the actual organizational needs. (2) Applying electronic journal usage statistics has disadvantages, as acknowledged by all the interviewees. (3) University libraries can benefit significantly by applying electronic journal usage statistics, especially for e-resources acquisitions and services. (C) Regarding the university librarians’ perspectives and attitudes toward the development of electronic journal usage statistics: (1) Long-term preservation of electronic journal usage statistics data is required, as emphasized by all the interviewees. (2) The application of electronic journal usage statistics is influenced by current standards and university library policies. (3) The COUNTER Code of Practice should be used to fulfill the specific requirements of various libraries, as suggested by the interviewees. Based on these findings, this study presents the following suggestions regarding university library electronic journal usage statistics: (1) Establish core items for electronic journal usage statistics, providing two benefits, namely an improved use of statistical data and to enable sharing among institutions. (2) Adopt a more positive attitude toward collecting and applying electronic journal usage statistics. For example, identify the relationship between electronic journal click times and full-text downloads and adjust the data collecting and analyzing system to meet each library’s specific needs for electronic journal usage statistics.