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Libraries have long relied on statistics to prove value, to justify budgetary expenditures, and to be the foundation for outcomes measurements. In September 2007, the North Carolina (NC) AHEC Digital Library's (ADL) monthly stats measured the first ever decline in both logins and link outs when compared to the same months of the previous year. When this trend continued through the end of 2007, the library staff undertook a statistical analysis and an environmental scan to determine why the monthly stats were dropping (as compared to the previous year). This paper discusses the results of that analysis indicating that the drop in usage statistics correlated to the loss of access to Up-to-Date for the portal users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to a journal budget cut of more than 30%, the Duke University Medical Center Library devised a multifaceted approach to meet the challenge of sharply reduced funding. The availability of electronic format added considerable complexity to the process and impacted the budget as well. In some cases, e-content offered cost savings, but in many others, it presented even higher costs. Major discussion points include surveying library users, developing a comprehensive database of criteria for a thorough review, engaging faculty in the review process, weighing the pros and cons of electronic access, and implementing a wide-ranging publicity campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information related to a staff training program for a single service desk in Health Sciences Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The university created a new single service desk, the User Services Center (USC) in August 1999. In Fall of 1998 and Spring of 1999, a baseline user survey was administered by the University before the opening USC in which users ranked the five service quality indicators. The library conducted a 60-item staff training assessment, nine months after implementing the USC. It is reported that most of the library staff have learned best on a need-to-know basis, and the most effective training method has been pairing librarians and support staff so that they can learn from each other at the USC.