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Cost recovery and usage tracking of CD-ROM databases with menuing software
A S Nista1, K M Albert, B M Lewis
1Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140.
Medical Reference Services Quarterly
|December 5, 1991
Summary
Libraries can recover CD-ROM costs using inexpensive menuing software for usage tracking. This approach helps manage expenses for CD-ROM workstations, subscription, and operating costs, making them more sustainable.
Area of Science:
- Library and Information Science
- Health Sciences Information Management
Background:
- CD-ROM database products are prevalent in libraries, offering cost benefits over online alternatives.
- Libraries face funding challenges in supporting CD-ROM workstation costs.
- Cost-benefit analyses are crucial for libraries evaluating CD-ROM adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore a cost recovery strategy for CD-ROM expenses in libraries.
- To demonstrate the utility of menuing software for financial management of electronic resources.
- To present a case study from Fox Chase Cancer Center on recouping CD-ROM costs.
Main Methods:
- Implementing inexpensive menuing software to track CD-ROM usage.
- Analyzing usage data for cost-benefit assessment.
- Implementing a user fee system to recover expenses.
Main Results:
- Menuing software enables detailed data analysis for cost recovery.
- User fees can effectively offset subscription, start-up, and operating costs.
- The Fox Chase Cancer Center successfully recovered CD-ROM related expenses.
Conclusions:
- Menuing software is a viable tool for managing and recovering CD-ROM costs in libraries.
- User fees are a practical method for libraries to fund CD-ROM resources.
- This model supports the financial sustainability of CD-ROM services in academic and research libraries.