Data-Driven Management and Interoperable Metrics for Special Collections and Archives User Services

Abstract

While special collections and archives managers have at times recognized the importance of using data to drive decision making, translating this objective into reality and integrating data analysis into day-to-day operations has proven to be a significant challenge. There have also been obstacles to formulating quantitative metrics for special collections and archives and rendering them interoperable across institutional boundaries. This article attempts to focus a conversation around two issues: 1) the importance of quantitative analysis of operational data for improving research services in special collections and archives; and 2) the need for the profession to achieve consensus on definitions for . . .