The document discusses how a university library uses the Gimlet reference tracking system to collect data on over 29,000 reference transactions over two years. The data is analyzed using Excel, coding, and content analysis to assess reference services and improve training, policies, and signage. While subjectivity cannot be avoided, managing it through tools allows the library to better understand user needs and fulfill its mission through potential cost savings and more efficient staff usage.
1. Keeping a Gimlet Eye on Reference Data Ken Simon Reference and Instruction Technologies Librarian Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California Twitter: @ksimon Email: kenneth.simon@lmu.edu
21. Crunch all you want… Excel: sort and filter by fixed fields Content analysis using Simple Concordance Program: Directional: led to signage improvements Technology: Fixes, training, State of Technology in the Library report for campus I.T. Next up: coding the data
23. Reference Tags Note: these tags differ from the ones used in Gimlet 1 = Catalog Use & Lookup 2 = Database Help & Use 3 = External Web page 4 = Internal Web page 5 = Reference Book (print) 6 = Referral 7 = Reserves 8 = Retrieval 9 = Other 99 = empty / unknown
24. Conclusions To assess and improve, you need data! It takes work to get the data into shape. You can’t escape subjectivity……but you can help to manage it. Experiment with tools for analysis: Excel, concordance software, codebook/SPSS Why? To better fulfill our mission Potential cost savings, better use of staff time
25. Credit where credit is due: Alexander Justice Susan Gardner Shannon Billimore Courtney Hoffner Jason Campos Meg Gregory Bonnie Rainey
26. Keeping a Gimlet Eye on Reference Data Ken Simon Reference and Instruction Technologies Librarian Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California Twitter: @ksimon Email: kenneth.simon@lmu.edu
