May 6, 2016

Question

Joy Garretson (MS)

Hey everyone!

I received a question this morning regarding how to count streaming services from Freegal. I want to give the director advice using the new definitions. I am expecting that I will tell her to count streaming sessions under the new item 554 (see below):

The number of full-content units or descriptive records examined, downloaded, or otherwise supplied to user, from online library resources that require user authentication but do not have a circulation period. Examining documents is defined as having the full text of a digital document or electronic resource downloaded or fully displayed. Some electronic services do not require downloading as simply viewing documents is normally sufficient for user needs.

Include use both inside and outside the library. Do not include use of the OPAC or website. [based on NISO Standard Z39.7 (2013) #7.7, p. 43]

My reasoning is that a streaming session needs authentication but doesn’t have a circulation period and streaming allows users to “examine” a document (When I listen to the Bangles Greatest Hits album, am I not examining every song for some tidbit of my misguided youth? Yes!). I feel fairly confident in this explanation but wanted to make sure I’m on the same page as everyone before I put together my training materials (which will definitely include references to the Bangles).

Thanks!

SDC Comments

Jamie McCanless (WI)

Hi, Joy

This sounds well-reasoned to me. I’d only suggest mentioning to directors how/why this is not the same as e-video downloadable content. (I anticipate some confusion in Wisconsin about the differences between downloadable content and electronic collections.)