How do you measure a semester at Swem Library? In book checkouts? In research questions? In hours spent on computers? All these measures and more can be found on the new Swem Library Dashboard, which compiles statistics on the library’s services, updated every month.
The dashboard provides useful, interesting information on how students, faculty and visitors make use of Swem’s resources. Check out the map illustrating how widely Interlibrary Loan has reached this year – it includes six continents! You can find the answers to other questions such as:
- How many ebooks have been added to the library’s collections since the beginning of 2015? 24,873
- Which major checked out the most materials in March? Undeclared, followed closely by history
- And much more!
The dashboard is both useful and fun. It graphically displays important current and historical data in order to inform our internal and external stakeholders about the library's services and collections," said Paul Showalter, research librarian and assessment coordinator for Swem Library. "In addition to being an informational tool, it is also a springboard for discussion and decision-making."
Staff also hope that exploring statistics like these will inspire students to take advantage of all that Swem has to offer.