Using Gimlet Desk Statistics to Improve Library Services (NELLCO)
1. Using Gimlet Desk Statistics to
Improve Library Services
Susan [Gardner] Archambault
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, USA
2. Loyola Marymount University
• Private Catholic
University in Los
Angeles, California
• 5900+ undergraduates
and 1900+ graduates
• William H. Hannon
Library Information
Desk open 24/5
3. Overview
• What is Gimlet and how does it work?
• Case study of how we use Gimlet at LMU
• How can you perform content analysis on your
Gimlet data?
• Examples of resulting changes/advancements
based on user needs at LMU
12. Standardizing Your Tags
• Social tagging does
not work!
o computer vs. computers
o catalog vs. name of catalog
o bathroom vs. restroom
• Source-based
approach better than
strategy-based
approach!
o known item vs.
catalog_use_and_lookup
o search_construction vs.
database_help_and_use
22. Content Analysis
(data manipulation)
• Experiment with word
counts and
frequencies (Simple
Concordance
Program)
• Recode Q&A text
fields; SPSS analysis
for relationships
38. Top Databases Used:
Information Desk
Database Times Used
JSTOR 47
Academic Search Complete 45
Proquest 45
PsycINFO 33
Business Source Complete 28
Lexis Nexis 23
Ebsco 21
MLA Intl Bibliography 18
ERIC 17
ATLA 14
Bibloi 14
ABI Inform 13
Mergent 13
CQ Researcher 12
OneSearch 12
WorldCAT 12
Business & Co. R.C. 10
GVRL 9
Lit. Resource Cntr 9
Euromonitor 8
Lit. Criticism Online 8
Soc. Abstracts 8
Science Direct 7
Biography in Context 6
CMMC 6
Opposing Viewpts 6
Proquest Dissert. 6
Sage Jnls Online 6
39. Conclusions
• Daily recording of reference statistics allows
for systematic monitoring of user questions
and patterns
• Recording statistics electronically makes data
analysis much easier, although it still takes
work to get the data into shape
• Experimentation with analysis tools can lead
to proactive, user-driven changes in services
40. More Information
• Gimlet: https://gimlet.us
• Simple Concordance Program: www.textworld.com/scp
• LMU Gimlet LibGuide: http://libguides.lmu.edu/gimlet
• Contact Info:
Susan [Gardner] Archambault
Email: susan.archambault@lmu.edu
Twitter: @susanarcham