Usage statistics are one way librarians make decisions about which subscriptions to renew. This graphic and text below illustrate how usage statistics are compiled and used in the journal review process.

How Usage Statistics Work

1. Annual Usage: Publishers track each journal’s article downloads and make the data available to subscribing libraries. The annual usage is a journal’s total number of article downloads for a given year.
2. Cost Per Use (CPU): The annual usage is used to calculate a journal’s cost per use (CPU). The journal’s annual cost is divided by its annual use.
3. Comparison with Interlibrary Loan: The librarian compares a journal’s CPU with the average cost of Interlibrary Loan (on average, $25 per article). Journals with a CPU significantly higher than $25 are reviewed more closely to determine if the usage justifies the cost of subscription.
4. Faculty Consultation: Librarians will consult with department faculty to learn if the journal is still relevant, if access through Interlibrary Loan would be sufficient, and/or if we should continue subscribing and check again next year.
5. Final Decision: Final renewal decisions are based on usage statistics and recommendations from liaison librarians and academic departments.