Free COUNTER membership in Research4Life countries

COUNTER is offering free membership to libraries, publishers and related organisations in Research4Life countries. This means that organisations within Research4Life countries can contribute to consultations about the COUNTER code and its further development. They can also be part of COUNTER advisory groups. Membership also provides the opportunity to participate in COUNTER training activities and our annual conference. For more about the benefits of being a COUNTER member, see this recent blog post.

Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director of COUNTER Metrics, explained:

“The COUNTER Code of Practice is the international standard for usage metrics. Opening up free membership to report providers and consumers in Research4Life countries means that a wider swathe of our community will have a voice in how the Code develops over time, as well as helping shape our future education offerings and services. We’re looking forward to working with the Research4Life team to understand what our new members need from COUNTER.”

Enabling meaningful discussions

Nasra Gathoni, who co-chairs the Equity Committee of Research4Life, said:

“Metrics not only measure return on investments but also provide much-needed data to inform decision-making. They support the Equity Committee’s objectives of fostering equitable opportunities for researchers, irrespective of their geographical location. The standardization of metrics through the COUNTER Code of Practice is crucial. This data enables meaningful discussions and effective solutions aligned to questions such as, ‘What kind of research is being used?’ and ‘From what part of the globe is the usage or lack of usage?’ Such evidence-based insights are vital for fostering equity and inclusion in the academic and research ecosystem.”  

Research4Life Country Connector Julio Cesar Bailon Salguero added:

“As a librarian in El Salvador and representative of the Consortium of University Libraries of El Salvador (CBUES), I consider COUNTER Metrics a key tool to optimize the management of electronic resources in our institutions. By providing standardized and reliable metrics, it allows us to measure the use of digital content transparently, improving decision-making and justifying investments. Its implementation not only aligns our practices with international standards, but also strengthens efficient access to quality academic information, benefiting educational and professional development in our country.”

How to get your free membership in Research4Life countries

The COUNTER membership system now has a new, free category of membership for Research4Life libraries and publishers. Organisations based in a country in Research4Life Group A or Group B can select this category of membership.

To become a member of COUNTER visit our membership page, or contact the COUNTER team for more information.