Library economic metrics: Examples of the comparison of electronic and print journal collections and collection services

THIS ARTICLE DEALS WITH A FRAMEWORK of library economic metrics including service input and output, performance, usage, effectiveness, outcomes, impact, and cost and benefit comparisons. Examples of these measures are given for comparison of library electronic and print collections and collection services based on a recent cost finding study at Drexel University where the library has converted almost entirely to an electronic journal collection. These data are complemented with recent readership surveys of scientists at Drexel University, University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and members of the American Astronomical Society which describe changing information-seeking patterns and use of library electronic and print collections.