Greetings,

Over the past year, the Analytics working group of the DLF Assessment Interest Group has been hard at work researching and authoring the white paper, “Best Practices for Google Analytics in Digital Libraries.” The purpose of this white paper is to provide digital libraries with guidelines that maximize the effectiveness and relevance of data collected through the Google Analytics service for assessment purposes. The paper recommends tracking 14 specific metrics within Google Analytics, and provides library-centric examples of how to employ the resulting data in making decisions and setting institutional goals and priorities. The final draft of the white paper is now available, linked above as well as from our wiki page.

The white paper was authored by:

• Molly Bragg (Co-coordinator of the Analytics Working Group), Duke University Libraries
• Joyce Chapman (Co-coordinator of the Analytics Working Group), Duke University Libraries
• Jody DeRidder, University of Alabama Libraries
• Rita Johnston, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Ranti Junus, Michigan State University
• Martha Kyrillidou, Association of Research Libraries
• Eric Stedfeld, New York University

Thanks to all who reviewed and commented on the drafts of this paper, as well!

Next steps. The white paper research will be presented at the DLF Forum 2015 session: "Collaborative Efforts to Develop Best Practices in Assessment: A Progress Report" on Monday, October 26 at 1:30pm. The session will be livestreamed. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about and discuss the group's work at the DLF Assessment lunch on Tuesday October 27.

As of the publishing of the white paper, the future of the DLF analytics working group is uncertain. The group is looking to the digital library community for feedback, ideas, and volunteers in order to continue: should the analytics work continue? Are there other assessment efforts DLF AIG should prioritize? Please contribute to the discussion through the DLF AIG Google Group or in person at DLF.

For those interested in continuing the analytics effort, attend the DLF sessions listed above, post to the DLF AIG Google Group, or contact Molly Bragg (molly.bragg at duke.edu) and Joyce Chapman (joyce.chapman at duke.edu) directly.

Joyce Chapman & Molly Bragg

 

Joyce Chapman

Assessment Coordinator

Assessment & User Experience Department

Duke University Libraries

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(919) 660-5889