Libraries generate valuable data every day. The challenge is turning that data into useful information that can help teams understand patron behavior, evaluate services and make informed decisions.
In our recent Vega Reports webinar, we looked at how libraries can analyze Vega Discover usage, build custom reports and share findings with colleagues and stakeholders. We also discussed the longer-term direction for bringing data from different library systems into a more unified reporting environment. Click here to watch the recording now!
Here are five key takeaways.
1. Understand how patrons use Vega Discover
Looking at what patrons search for and how they interact with discovery can help libraries identify trends and better understand how their digital services are being used.
Vega Reports provides insight into visitor, search and marketing activity within Vega Discover, with dashboard statistics refreshed every 24 hours. Libraries can filter the data by date and site to focus on patterns relevant to their organization.
2. Start with ready-made dashboards
Libraries don’t need to build reports from scratch. Vega Discover customers have access to a ready-made dashboard and corresponding data models.
Reports can also be downloaded, emailed or scheduled for delivery. This makes it easier to incorporate reporting into regular team discussions and share relevant findings with stakeholders.
3. Create reports tailored to your library
Libraries that want to explore specific questions can create custom reports using Query Builder. Native SQL provides further flexibility for those with more advanced data skills.
SQL knowledge isn’t required to build a custom report. During the webinar, we demonstrated how Query Builder can combine data models, apply filters and create views based on a library’s reporting needs.
4. Add your own library data
Vega Reports also supports CSV uploads, allowing libraries to work with their own datasets alongside existing reporting data. Uploaded CSV data is stored within the library’s individual S3 bucket and can be used to create a new model, append to an existing one or replace it, subject to a 50 MB upload limit.
This gives libraries more flexibility to investigate questions that may not be covered by a standard dashboard.
5. Build a broader view of library activity
The longer-term direction for Vega Reports is a unified reporting environment that brings together data from different Clarivate products and, eventually, third-party sources.
Work is already underway on physical and digital circulation data, including efforts to bring ILS and OverDrive checkout data together. Combining these sources could give libraries a more complete picture of usage across formats and platforms.
Turning library data into better decisions
The webinar showed how Vega Reports can help libraries move from collecting data to using it more effectively. Libraries can examine how patrons interact with Vega Discover, build reports around their own questions and share findings across their organization.
Interested in taking a closer look? Watch the webinar on demand to see how Vega Reports can help your library explore usage data, answer specific questions and inform decision-making.