[14207] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Data/feedback needed: Pre- and post-implementation of user
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Rachael Naismith)
Wed Dec 12 20:14:16 2001
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 08:39:39 -0500
From: Rachael Naismith <Rachael_Naismith@SPFLDCOL.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-to: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-id: <85256B20.0045A7FD.00@spirit.spfldcol.edu>
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Please forgive cross-posting.
I would appreciate feedback from librarians regarding the following theory:
I suspect that if my library were to get an authentication/proxy product such as
Obvia to replace our current practice of giving out passwords for databases (and
e-journals) in person, by phone and by e-mail, the use of bibliographic
databases would go up. That is, I think that some students are disuaded from
using journal databases when they learn they must request a password, and I
suspect that they will turn instead to the public Web or another resource.
Often when they e-mail us for a password they must wait 12 hours for a response.
I suspect that many don't wait.
As part of a report I'm preparing to make my case, I would love to find a
library who has used statistics prior to and subsequent to instituting an
authentication product, or any library that is in the process of gathering such
statistics. Any numbers would help.
Thanks in advance.
Rachael Naismith
Sr. Reference Librarian
