Analysis and news: metrics


“Library inductions were used as an opportunity to track the impact on resource usage for a particular course”


Leeds Beckett University


when they first started using reporting of any kind. Reporting was implemented into ARU’s library because they wanted metrics on basic statistics and resource usage, to see what was and was not being used. Fast forward to today, and ARU now


uses OpenAthens reporting API to monitor a variety of library outputs, including the potential to flag misuse of data to librarians. The reporting API tool from OpenAthens that ARU is now using has massively helped the university with student retention. ‘Using the reporting from OpenAthens means we have no concerns – no concerns with the way it works, with the product or with the data it produces. The project to implement OpenAthens reporting API kicked-off in November 2019 and completed in January 2020. We had noticed that students were finding knowledge resources online and we needed to cater for this. ‘The specific benefit of implementing


of certain resources may be needed to improve student interaction. A lot of work was undertaken on the visualisation of the data to present it in an easily digestible format, and clearly highlight trends and anomalies so that academic support and learning resources colleagues could better understand resource usage and student engagement.


Benefits and results Heeson described the positive outcomes and important success points for her organisation’s use of OpenAthens data: ‘As a library, we are very much involved in the discussions on academic support and what academics can do to enhance the user-learning experience from a resource perspective. ‘With OpenAthens data, we can provide


real evidence on resource usage and user engagement, not just counts or anecdotal insight. We’ve been able to both corroborate and challenge existing perceptions. Often, the data supports the perception, but it has also revealed


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instances where they may be wrong – when a certain resource is not essential, but it is one favoured by the students and vice versa, for example. ‘The data comes at a level I can work with, and any problems or queries are dealt with thoroughly and responsively. My colleagues have also been extremely positive. They have been given insights that they have wanted for a long time – enabling decisions on budgeting and effective resource provision to support students based on digestible evidence.’


Anglia Ruskin University Another example of an organisation that has taken advantage of OpenAthens reporting tools to measure engagement is Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge. Alex Collins, application analyst at


ARU, explained that the university had been using OpenAthens for a while. The relationship with the OpenAthens team was quite strong, as they had originally implemented OpenAthens Valet, which is


a reporting tool was to save time, as the reporting API meant we did not have to manually generate reports. It did it for us with specific data the teams can review and use to enhance services if needed. Ultimately, the API has enabled ARU to automate the feed into our student dashboard and work with the students who are not engaged with their course, or manage resourcing levels through interrogating the data produced.’ He continued: ‘We have been using


OpenAthens products for 20 years, if they didn’t work and provide precise data to review, we wouldn’t use them, it is as simple as that. We get great support when we need it, and it pairs with the great service that is provided by OpenAthens and the reporting tools.’


To find out more about OpenAthens’ Reporting API and how it can benefit libraries across the globe, you can register for its free-to- attend webinar on Thursday 10 June at 4pm at the link below: https://jisc.zoom.us/webinar/ register/1916196894686/WN_XoXSGr- vRqGvQSCywPZefg


Cintia Dabes is a product marketing executive at OpenAthens


May/June 2021 Research Information 23


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