Year 4 · 07 / 09
Digital services
Improving the systems that support our library’s work.
Making usage data easier to collect and use
Part of my work as a Digital Services Librarian is improving the systems that support our everyday decisions. Before this project, collecting database usage statistics meant signing into individual vendor platforms and finding reports in different places. It was time-consuming, and our Library Support Specialist could not access those reports when I was away during summer.
I began setting up SUSHI in Alma in Fall 2025 and completed the setup in May 2026. Subscribed databases that support SUSHI now have their COUNTER usage reports harvested monthly into our library system.
Working through the setup together
The first hurdle was obtaining the necessary administrative permissions from District ITS. I then had to figure out a configuration that worked within our shared three-college Alma system, where some settings are connected across institutions. This took time, coordination, and meetings with District ITS, Stephanie R., and Cody to work through the configuration.
I obtained vendor credentials, troubleshot failed reports, and checked the harvested data. The process helped me better understand our district’s shared systems and how to work with others to put an improvement into practice.
What changed
Cody now helps collect and monitor the data for annual reporting. I use it to inform subscription renewals and identify resources receiving little use. Having the reports available in Alma reduces the need to retrieve them separately and allows this work to continue during my summer absence.
Cañada and College of San Mateo are also using the setup I established. What began as an improvement for Skyline has become a shared resource across the district.
