Usage metrics aggregation

Back in the mists of time (read: before Tasha started at COUNTER), we produced some guidelines for aggregating usage metrics. They were used by consortia and national bodies to describe how their constituent libraries should report back. Things have changed since 2019, so we’re working on a project to update the guidelines.

• First up, we’re updating them to reflect Release 5.1 of the Code of Practice, rather than R5.
• The old guidelines suggest using standard views, meaning libraries have to harvest everything twice over to report on journals and books, or to show database usage versus denials. We’re changing that to recommend using the Platform, Database, Title and Item Reports, so libraries only have to harvest once.
• The old guidelines also prioritise Total metrics over Unique metrics, which isn’t in line with our usual advice under R5.1.

If you’re involved with usage metrics aggregation and you are willing to take a look at the updated guidelines, please get in touch with Tasha.