[Eril-l] database trial policy

[Bhatt, Anjana]

You may also read my article:  E-Trials in Academic Libraries: 101 and Beyond<https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=phisloAX-GsJ&citation_for_view=phisloAX-GsJ:hqOjcs7Dif8C>.  Anjana H Bhatt Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship 27 (2), 121-127

Article includes E-trial ground rules, trial concerns, process, workflow and responsibilities of the trial participants and links to sample documents such as trial feedback form (paper and online).

Since I wrote the article, we have increased the concurrent trial limit from 2 to 4 because limiting the trials to just 2 at a time resulted in long queues for subject librarians who wanted to conduct trials.  Also we realized that it is better to conduct more number of trials during summer and fall semester so we have enough information ready in spring semester for making quick purchasing decision for sudden influx of money from the Provost office or any one time purchase funds. We maintain an unmet curricular list and add the trial feedback to that list as well.  All the trial feedback forms (individual and consolidated) are saved on the share drive so we all have access to this information at any time.

We also decided to open the possibility of setting up a user ID and password based trial for just one week for subject librarians, who then could decide if it was worth following the complete e-trial process and opening it to the extended users.  This decision resulted in alleviating the waiting time.  Our subject librarians are also encouraged to do a limited trial with their college faculty and then open it to extended community for a wider feedback. Whatever it is, the first contact for setting up the trial (short or long) is E-resources Librarian's office.

If you have questions, I am happy to answer.

For further reading, here are some more suggestions:


  1.   Fischer, C. (2007). Group therapy-Database trials. Against the Grain, 19(6), 65-66.
  2.  Street, C. (2010). Getting the most from a database trial. Legal Information Management, 10(2), 147-148 doi:10.1017/S1472669610000551
  3.  Ritterbush, J. (2012). Trials by Juries: Suggested practices for database trials. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 24(3), 240-243.


Anjana


Thanks & Regards.
Anjana.

Anjana  H. Bhatt
University Librarian (Electronic Resources)
Florida Gulf Coast University Library<http://library.fgcu.edu/>
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6501
Office Location: Library West 236
Phone: 239-590-7634<tel:239-590-7634>, Fax: 239-590-7609<tel:239-590-7609>, E-mail: abhatt at fgcu.edu<mailto:abhatt at fgcu.edu>
http://library.fgcu.edu/FAC/abhatt/bhatt.htm
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From: Eril-l [mailto:eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org] On Behalf Of Loder, Julie L
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 5:11 PM
To: 'Sally Krash' <krash at library.umass.edu>; eril-l at lists.eril-l.org
Subject: Re: [Eril-l] database trial policy

Hello Sally,

Yes, we have a policy that addresses trials.  Essentially the sponsor needs permission from our AD for Collections, but should have considered the following before asking.  We are essentially trying to manage expectations on all sides and coordinate so we are requesting at a time when users and staff will have time to review and give feedback.


  *   Think about why we are requesting a trial to be sure it is really necessary.  For example, if we are only adding new content to an existing interface, is a trial necessary?
  *   There should be a reasonable expectation that we can afford the resource.
  *   Trials should be scheduled at times when people will have an opportunity to review the resource.  For example, a trial should not be scheduled during the Winter Break when many librarians and faculty will likely be away.

Julie

From: Eril-l [mailto:eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org] On Behalf Of Sally Krash
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 2:39 PM
To: eril-l at lists.eril-l.org<mailto:eril-l at lists.eril-l.org>
Subject: [Eril-l] database trial policy

Hello all,

Does anyone have a database trial policy? In previous libraries where I have worked, we only set up trials for databases that were being considered for purchase or subscription. However, in my current library, we are being asked to set up trials for databases that are well beyond our ability to obtain (financially speaking). If you have a policy that addresses this issue, can you share it with me?

All feedback is welcome!

Thank you,

Sally Krash
Head of Information Resources Management
W.E.B. Du Bois Library
University of Massachusetts Amherst
413-545-6865
krash at library.umass.edu<mailto:krash at library.umass.edu>

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