Data mining is looking for hidden, valid, and potentially useful patterns in huge data sets. Data Mining is all about discovering unsuspected/ previously unknown relationships amongst the data.
It is a multi-disciplinary skill that uses machine learning, statistics, AI and database technology.
The insights derived via Data Mining can be used for Business understanding in the field of marketing, fraud detection, scientific discovery, and so on.
As a Library professional, I am interested in looking at the more useful tools, cost effective and positive aspect of Data mining or information harvesting within Libraries.
My attention automatically focuses into the collection management tool used in my Library called CollectionHQ.
Collection HQ is an EBSM tool which aims to measure six Key Performance Indicators for library collection performance (see table below).
EBSM Tools are ultimately aimed at improving library collection performance against each of these KPIs. These performance indicators address the key demands of collection provision that customers expect when visiting a library.
The Library I work for uses the 6 keys Performance indicators to provide a first class customer service experience, however other libraries adopted the CollectionHQ EBSM tool to improve specific performance areas, according to CILIP case studies below:
LEWISHAM LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE
Increasing Stock Usage
collectionHQ was introduced at the Lewisham Library and Information Service to help the team meet targets to increase stock usage. As with many libraries, much of the stock at the library had not been checked out by a user for a considerable period of time due to lack of demand at its current branch, poor visibility in the library, or because the item was lost or missing. Using collectionHQ’s “Collection Check” and “Dead Item” action plans, staff could quickly identify this dead stock and move to a new branch with higher demand or to a more prominent position in the library. As a result, the percentage of dead items in the library’s collection reduced from 25% to 17% after a 12 month period.
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE LIBRARIES
Maximising Existing Material
At South Gloucestershire Libraries, collectionHQ Transfer tools are used frequently to replace worn or “grubby” stock with items from another branch that have low usage due to being overstocked or low local demand. Thanks to this tool, dead titles transferred to new locations between November 2018 and November 2019 were given a second chance, generating an additional 9,017 circulations. The team also maximises existing material with the help of collectionHQ’s Dead on Arrival action plans. Dead on Arrival, or DOA, reports material added to a library collection over a 12 month period which subsequently does not achieve more than one circulation. Using collectionHQ to identify DOA material allows branch staff to pull these items into a display, with some branches using the title “Hidden Treasures”.
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Monitoring Stock Performance
Tracking stock performance, task completion and areas of potential cost savings can be a time-consuming task for library managers. CollectionHQ’s Dashboard enables customers to see various metrics at a glance - including turnover, circulation, transferred items, dead item percentage, overused or “grubby” item percentage, and much more - in order to support improvements that will benefit the library user.
Benefits of Data Mining:
• Data mining helps organisations to make the profitable adjustments in operation and production.
• The data mining is a cost-effective and efficient solution compared to other statistical data applications.
• Data mining helps with the decision-making process.
• Facilitates automated prediction of trends and behaviours as well as automated discovery of hidden patterns.