1. MINES for Libraries
Measuring the Impact of Networked Electronic Services (MINES): The North American Experience
Brinley Franklin
Vice Provost, University of Connecticut Libraries

2. What is MINES?
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 that quantify total usage (e.g., COUNTER, EQUINOX, E-Metrics, ICOLC Guidelines, ISO and NISO standards) or measure how well a library makes electronic resources accessible (LibQual+TM).

3. Collection Activities
Recent Data
Collection Activities
Data was collected at 18 university libraries in Ontario, Canada (OCUL) between May, 2004 and April, 2005.
Data was also collected at 14 university libraries in the United States between January, 2003 and April, 2005.
Main University Libraries
Academic Medical Libraries
University of Colorado
University of Connecticut 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. Collection Activities
Recent Data
Collection Activities
More than 50,000 networked electronic
services uses in the U.S. were surveyed.
At each U.S. library, the 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.
MINES was also conducted by the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) in in conjunction with ARL. More than 20,000 users were surveyed.

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 are employed at each site.
Participation is usually 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. Library User Survey

7. Library User Survey
Patron Status

8. Library User Survey
Affiliation

9. Library User Survey
Location

10. Library User Survey
Purpose of Use

11. Purpose of Use By Location
U.S. Medical Libraries
2003 – 2005
On-Campus, Not in the Library
n = 15,948
In the Library
n = 6,590
Overall Use
n = 27,390
Off-Campus
n = 4,852 3
*83% of sponsored research usage occurred outside the library.
92% of this use took place on-campus.

12. Purpose of Use By Location U.S. Main Campus Libraries
2003 – 2005
On-Campus, Not in the Library
n = 9,460
In the Library
n = 9,733
All Usage
n = 26,983
Off-Campus
n = 7,790 3
*72% of sponsored research usage of electronic resources occurred outside the library; 83% of this took place on-campus.

13. Location of Users 2003-2005 U.S. Medical Library U.S. Main Library
76%
64%
24%
36%
All Libraries
70%
30%

14. Demographics by Location of User U.S. Main Libraries
Inside the Library n = 9,172
On Campus, Not in the Library n = 6,391
Off-Campus n = 4,953
Total Users n = 25,698

15. Demographics by Location of User
U.S. Medical Libraries
Inside the Library
n = 6,819
On Campus, Not in the Library
n = 19,582
Off-Campus
n = 5,133
Total Users n = 31,883

16. Location of Users All U.S. Libraries
28%
52%
20%
28%
72%

17. Demographics of OCUL Users (n=20,300)

18. OCUL Scholars Portal Users by Purpose of Use (n=20,300)

19. Location of Networked Electronic Services Users- U. S
Location of Networked Electronic Services Users- U.S. and Canadian University Libraries
OCUL
U.S.