My experience when I worked at the USAID Library (5 years ago) was similar to Jim's.  Patron response to my survey was very small.  I could track journals issues that were checked out (like most libraries we barcoded them on the fly as they were checked out), and I set up a "reshelving cart" for 3 months with a sign asking patrons not to reshelve journals.  I reshelved them all myself, so I could get some measure of in-library usage.  It's hard to say how well this worked - I'm sure that some patrons reshelved journals anyway.

I have no advice on tracking electronic usage.

On Aug 11, 2005, at 1:54 PM, Janine Devereaux wrote:

> Please excuse cross-posting.  I'm appealing to as many of you as
> possible.
>
> Have you discovered successful ways to track print journal usage
> and database usage by your organization's staff?  We've been
> asked by management to use several methods to determine how much
> our resources are actually being used.  Rising subscription
> prices are a concern and most tracking methods used in libraries
> where I've previously worked didn't really provide accurate data.
> Although print journal usage is a major concern, I'm also looking
> for methods you may have used to measure database usage.
> Several of our database vendors can supply statistics on use but
> others cannot.  Also, if you have used any surveys successfully
> to help determine print journal or database usage, would you
> please send a copy to me?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Janine Devereaux, Librarian
> NOAA Coastal Services Center
> 2234 S. Hobson Ave.
> Charleston, SC 29405-2413
> Telephone: (843)740-1247  Fax: (843)740-1298
>
> Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift
> That's why they call it "the present"    (Loretta LaRoche)
>
> Any opinion expressed in this email does not necessarily reflect
> the views of the U.S. Government.


--------------------

This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and
may contain privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use,
disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies
of the original message.