1. ARL New Measures
MINES for Libraries Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services
Brinley Franklin
Vice Provost
University of Connecticut Libraries

2. What is Mines?
Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services (MINES) is a research methodology consisting of a web-based survey form and a sampling plan. MINES measures who is using electronic resources, where users are located at the time of use, and their purpose of use. MINES was adopted by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) as part of the “New Measures” toolkit in May, 2003.
MINES is different from other electronic resource usage measures because most studies of electronic information usage have been related to usage counts (e.g., COUNTER, EQUINOX, E-metrics, ICOLC Guidelines, ISO and NISO standards) or how well a library makes electronic resources accessible (LibQual+TM).

3. Recent MINES Collection Activities
Data was collected at seven main campus libraries and seven academic health science libraries, between January, 2003 and January, 2005.
At each library, the real-time MINES survey was one component of a comprehensive cost analysis study that assigned all library costs to sponsored research, instruction/education/non-sponsored research, patient care, other sponsored activities and other activities.
More than 45,000 networked electronic service users were surveyed.
MINES is also being conducted by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) in conjunction with ARL in
Main University Libraries
Academic Medical Libraries
University of Colorado
UConn Health Center
University of Connecticut
University of North Carolina
University of Texas Medical Branch
Oregon State University
University of Texas Southwestern
University of Utah
University of Virginia
Washington University

4. Questions Addressed by MINES
How extensively do sponsored researchers use the new digital information environment?
Are researchers more likely to use networked electronic resources from inside or outside the library?
Are there differences in usage of electronic information based on the user’s location (e.g., in the library; on-campus, but not in the library; or off-campus)?
How does purpose of use (e.g., sponsored research, instruction, patient care) differ between electronic services use and traditional library services (e.g., print collections, reference services, etc.)?
What is a statistically valid methodology for capturing electronic services usage both in the library and remotely through web surveys?
Are particular network configurations more conducive to studies of networked electronic services use?

5. MINES Methodological Considerations
A representative sampling plan, including sample size, is determined at the outset. Typically, there are 48 hours of surveying over 12 months at a medical library and 24 hours a year at a main library.
Random moment/web-based surveys is employed at each site.
Participation is mandatory, negating non-respondent bias, and is based on actual use in real-time.
Libraries with database-to-web gateways or proxy re-writers offer the most comprehensive networking solution for surveying all networked services users during survey periods.

6. MINES Web-based User Survey

7. MINES Web-based User Survey

8. MINES Web-based User Survey

9. MINES Web-based User Survey

10. Purpose of Use By Location – 7 Medical Libraries
MINES Data,
Purpose of Use By Location
– 7 Medical Libraries
In The Library
On-Campus, Not in Library
Off-Campus
Overall Use 3
*83% of sponsored research usage of electronic resources occurred outside the library, 92% of this use took place on-campus.

11. MINES DATA 2003 - 2005 Purpose of Use By Location – Main Campus Libraries
In The Library
Outside The Library
Outside The Library
All Usage
* 72% of sponsored research usage of electronic resources occurred outside the library; 83% of this took place on campus.

12. MINES DATA 2003 - 2005 Location of Users
Medical Library
Main Library
All Libraries