Chapter 5: Ongoing Evaluation and Access

Abstract

Many resources take a year before they become embedded into the curriculum or research process, and user feedback may not be positive from the onset of provision. Chapter 5 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 49, no. 2) “Techniques for Electronic Resource Management” asserts that the best evaluation of a product or service happens within a three- to five-year time frame. It recommends tracking downtime and availability by saving e-mail alerts and messages from the producer about scheduled downtime and maintenance and tallying them annually. It also suggests keeping a file on each resource provider that includes all pertinent correspondence, along with notifications of routine maintenance and specific troubleshooting of problems that have arisen.