"Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me." -- Humorous Saying
Just because your organization subscribes to online databases like EbscoHost Academic and ScienceDirect doesn’t mean that your employees and colleagues use them. If they don’t, what’s the point?
One thing you can do to maximize ROI on the online database subscriptions is to make them high profile within your organization. This takes some effort. But the alternative is to continue throwing money at the problem in the hopes that some of it sticks.
Here are two (2) steps to take to ensure that your online subscriptions are not underutilized …
Finally, if you can’t find someone who can and will take on the task, consider using an outside Independent Information Professional to do this for you.
If none of these options works for you, you might as well cancel your subscriptions. You’ll save a lot of money, but you will lose your competitive edge … so you’ll make less money and … well, need I go on?
Just because your organization subscribes to online databases like EbscoHost Academic and ScienceDirect doesn’t mean that your employees and colleagues use them. If they don’t, what’s the point?
One thing you can do to maximize ROI on the online database subscriptions is to make them high profile within your organization. This takes some effort. But the alternative is to continue throwing money at the problem in the hopes that some of it sticks.
Here are two (2) steps to take to ensure that your online subscriptions are not underutilized …
- Monitor usage of the online databases. The vendor often will supply this information. Ask your friendly sales rep to make this happen. If the vendor can’t or won’t, talk to your IT people. They keep logs on EVERYTHING. They should be able to set up a log to meet your requirements. Note that this is not about monitoring individuals. It is about collecting statistical data that can help you determine if the resources are being used, and if so, to what extent. After reviewing three months of statistics, you may decide to raise the priority level on Step 2
- Make your employees and colleagues (and your CEO) aware of the existence of the resource. Make them aware repeatedly. You know how busy everyone is. If they are not reminded several times, they will forget about the resource.
This takes time, of course. If your organization supports a library, ask the librarian for help. If your organization does not support a library (seriously?) find someone within your organization who can handle the monitoring task. I suggest you don’t ask IT to take care of it. It will be very low on their list of priorities.
Finally, if you can’t find someone who can and will take on the task, consider using an outside Independent Information Professional to do this for you.
If none of these options works for you, you might as well cancel your subscriptions. You’ll save a lot of money, but you will lose your competitive edge … so you’ll make less money and … well, need I go on?
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While you’re in the considering mode, consider following the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/). Better yet, consider adding the Desulfurization blog as an RSS Feed on your Intranet.
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