|
To: Terri Davis
|
|
From: Jennifer Irwin
|
|
Re: Statistics drop
|
|
Date: 3-23-05
|
|
|
|
Since we have been on Aleph, circulation statistics have
been at levels lower than any year since 2002. While we do not yet have a
complete explanation for this, there are a several possible explanations.
|
|
|
- We
recently discovered that offline circulation has not been counted in the
statistics reports we have been using. Ex Libris
is working on getting that information added to the report so that
statistics can be re-run. While this would explain low statistics for
the end of 2004 when we were frequently offline, it does not make up for
the entire 15% drop in January. Offline circulation has been added in
for February.
|
|
|
- One
factor that probably contributes to the situation is the use of special
IDs. In PALS, when an item was damaged, needed to be withdrawn, or had
other problems, it was checked out to a special ID, creating a loan. In
Aleph, these situations are dealt with by changing the item’s process
status, which does not create a loan event. Special IDs accounted for 5%
of circulation in PALS.
|
|
|
- It
may be that our statistics in the two systems are not entirely
compatible. This is unfortunately hard to prove until we are comparing
Aleph to Aleph next October. Many other libraries have reported similar
experiences with Aleph migration, including the Iceland Library
Consortium, University of California, and the University
of East Anglia in the UK.
|
|
|
- Several
libraries have also reported that Aleph does not always count all the loans,
renewals, and returns that it should in the statistics reports provided.
These settings can be changed, and I am working to find out which of
these are being counted, and adding any that need to be.
|
|
|
- It
is possible that patrons have become frustrated with the new system.
After having the same system for so long, our patrons were comfortable
with PALS and have had to re-learn how to use online services with
Aleph. Renewals and holds (down respectively 51% and 16%) work
differently in Aleph, and have caused confusion for patrons. We have had
patron complaints that the new catalog is harder to use.
|
