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Using COUNTER to Optimize Usage Data Collection & Analysis for Libraries & Publishers

Webinar

Scope

COUNTER is an invaluable usage statistics standard that is employed to collect and analyze usage data for online resources, ensuring accuracy for informed decision making. Explore best practices and strategies for assessing the reliability of gathered statistics and their reporting. Through discussion, case studies, and expert insights participants will discover how to use assessment data from this standard to optimize resource allocation, enhance user services, and align with library and industry goals.

Confirmed speakers include Beda Kosata, Lead Developer, Celus, Stuart Maxwell, Chief Operating Officer, Scholarly IQ, Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director, COUNTER Metrics, and Greg Voelker, Collection Assessment Manager, University of Nevada Las Vegas.  Tasha Mellins-Cohens will serve as moderator.

The program is being coordinated by NISO Education Committee Member Grace Kim, Electronic Resources Librarian, Nevada State College. 

Event Sessions

Speakers

Greg Voelker

Collection Assessment Manager
University of Nevada Las Vegas

Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Executive Director, COUNTER Metrics served as the moderator for this event.

In anticipation of this event, the following questions were posed to speakers as a basis for discussion…

What challenges do publishers, especially smaller or open access ones, face in becoming COUNTER-compliant, and how can libraries collectively encourage compliance?

What inefficiencies arise when publishers and libraries rely on non-Counter-compliant processes compared to COUNTER standards?

How can accurate metadata validation (e.g., ISSNs, ISBNs) improve COUNTER reports, and what tools or solutions are available to assist non-compliant publishers in aligning with COUNTER standards?

How can COUNTER data be utilized to analyze trends in total and unique item requests, assess audience engagement, and support budgeting and forecasting decisions?

What insights can COUNTER data provide into global reporting for open access initiatives and geographic reach, and how can this help libraries and publishers demonstrate funding impact?

Is the COUNTER API preferable to manual downloads for handling usage data, and how can technology reduce barriers for smaller publishers?

What role can artificial intelligence play in analyzing COUNTER data to generate predictions, derive insights, and support decision-making?

How have standards like SUSHI evolved, and what strategies can simplify the integration of COUNTER standards into library workflows while addressing discrepancies between compliant and non-compliant data sources?

How can libraries and consortia incorporate COUNTER compliance into agreements with publishers to streamline workflows and facilitate standardized reporting?

How does COUNTER help publishers understand changes in usage over time and adapt to evolving audience needs, particularly for open access and global initiatives?

How can COUNTER data support open access goals by demonstrating the global reach and impact of publications funded through transformative agreements?

Important Resources

Additional Information

NISO assumes organizations register as a group. The model assumes that an unlimited number of staff will be watching the live broadcast in a single location, but also includes access to an archived recording of the event for those who may have timing conflicts. 

Educational program contacts and registrants receive sign-on instructions via email three business days prior to the virtual event. If you have not received your instructions by the day before an event, please contact NISO headquarters for assistance via email (nisohq@niso.org). 

Registrants for an event may cancel participation and receive a refund (less $30.00) if the notice of cancellation is received at NISO HQ (nisohq@niso.org) one full week prior to the event date. If received less than 7 days before, no refund will be provided. 

Links to the archived recording of the broadcast are distributed to registrants 24-48 business hours following the close of the live event. Access to that recording is intended for internal use of fellow staff at the registrant’s organization or institution. Shared resources are posted to the NISO event page.

Broadcast Platform

NISO uses the Zoom platform for purposes of broadcasting our live events. Zoom provides apps for a variety of computing devices (tablets, laptops, etc.) To view the broadcast, you will need a device that supports the Zoom app. Attendees may also choose to listen just to audio on their phones. Sign-on credentials include the necessary dial-in numbers, if that is your preference. Once notified of their availability, recordings may be downloaded from the Zoom platform to your machine for local viewing.