UKSG Usage data for decision making online seminar 2026

This seminar is aimed at those responsible for collecting, analysing and making recommendations based on usage data, whether in a library setting or within a publishing organisation. This online seminar will take place over two days 3rd & 4th November (9:00 start), for more details please visit the programme section below.

When

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – 12:45 GMT
to
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – 12:00 GMT

Where

Online
United Kingdom

About the Event

Registration to be opened shortly


Those with a responsibility for overseeing the management of library collections have more access than ever to statistical data to assist with evaluation and to justify return on investment, and enhancement of the user experience. Understanding the library’s use of this data is also vital for publishers.   Advances in standardisation led by the COUNTER initiative have made statistics more accessible and reliable as a basis for decision making.

Increasingly, libraries are being asked to make extremely difficult decisions about the priorities for their spending within a strategic context.  Although this presents huge challenges, it can also be an impetus to change the ways in which services are provided. Publishers need to be aware of what statistics librarians are looking at and how they are being used to inform collection development.

This seminar provides illustrations by expert decision makers on how statistics are used to make strategic decisions.  It will also present the challenges, such as demonstrating value and presenting data to different audiences.  Future developments within the field will also be addressed, together with considerations of how these will impact on decision making in the future, for example new approaches to analytics.  There will be discussion on how the development of open access is impacting on usage behaviour and influencing considerations for collection development.

Delegates will have the opportunity to reflect on the role of statistics in the broader context of further and higher education, and the culture of assessment that is becoming increasingly prominent within the sector.  Delegates will be encouraged to actively participate throughout the day.


This seminar is aimed at both those in libraries who need to analyse or interpret usage data to support decision making about resources and collections, within a strategic context.  It will be of interest to those with a responsibility for overseeing the management and evaluation of library collections in the further and higher education sector, and who need to demonstrate impact and value to senior leadership teams, rather than those involved in the operational role.  It may also be of interest to those working in other areas of the scholarly information industry.  It will also be of importance to publishers who need to understand the collection development decisions of their customers.

Please note: This seminar does not cover the practical aspects of collecting usage data, or of creating reports.  These topics are covered by the UKSG Practical Usage Statistics for Librarians seminar, a hands-on workshop on gathering and manipulating usage statistics.

Both days will be recorded and available for playback on demand post event for registered delegates. 

We welcome participants from all corners of the globe to join our seminars, however speakers and topics are generally UK focussed, if you have any doubt about the suitability please don’t hesitate to contact us. 


Delegates will: 

  • gain a greater insight into the wider environment and context in which usage statistics decision making is carried out and new approaches to this
  • learn about ways in which library resource usage statistics have been used by staff in university libraries to inform decision-making processes
  • develop an understanding of how usage statistics can be used to demonstrate value from a publisher perspective
  • gain knowledge of the impact of open access publishing on usage statistics and demonstrating value

The webinar tool we use is Go to Webinar. To test your system ahead of time visit https://support.goto.com/webinar/system-check-attendee


UKSG wants to provide the best possible experience for all our delegates, making presentations as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Our intention were possible is to strongly encourage our speakers to provide auto generated closed captioning for both live and recorded events as well as to make sure their slides as easy as possible for all people to read. In addition we can provide auto generated transcripts post event for each of the recorded sessions.

If you have particular accessibility needs or questions about this seminar/webinar, we welcome you to contact events@uksg.org


The sessions will be recorded and available to all registered delegates only after the event, so if you unable to join us live or want to review any presentation this will be available. 

Programme

  • Day 1 – 3 November
  • Day 2 – 4 November

Time

Programme

Speakers

12.45

Introduction & welcome

All times stated are GMT


12.40

Library Usage Data for Strategic Decisions

How can library usage data move beyond reporting to support better strategic decisions? This presentation explores practical approaches to using usage data, visualisation, automation and AI in an academic library environment. Drawing on real examples from London South Bank University, it will demonstrate how Alma Analytics, Power BI, Python and SQL can help inform collection decisions, renewal discussions, service planning and resource management. The presentation will also explore the emerging role of AI in analysing and summarising usage data, while considering where human judgement remains essential when interpreting trends and making decisions with financial or service implications.

London South Bank University

See Biography

Abdul Qadeer Khan is an Acquisitions & Fulfilment Team Leader at London South Bank University, with professional experience spanning library acquisitions, systems, digital resources, data analytics and service improvement. Previously a Systems Librarian, he has worked extensively with Alma Analytics, Power BI, Alma, Leganto and other library technologies to support reporting and evidence-based decision-making. He holds an MSc in Data Science and is Microsoft PL-300 certified in Power BI, with practical experience using Python and SQL for data analysis and automation. Abdul is particularly interested in applying data and emerging technologies to improve library services, resource management and strategic decision-making.


13.20

Break


13.40

Generative AI and data analysis: Some reflections

Sheffield University

See Biography
TBC. 

14.20

Break


15.00

MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching)

See Biography

Gerry Hanley Ph.D. is the Executive Director of MERLOT (www.merlot.org) and SkillsCommons (www.skillscommons.org) which provides free, online educational content in academic and workforce disciplines. At California State University Long Beach, Gerry is the Director of the Center for Usability in Design and Accessibility. Gerry’s previous positions included Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Technology Services at the California State University Chancellor’s Office, designing and delivering strategic initiatives for improving teaching and learning with technologies for 23 campuses serving over 450,000 students. He received his BA, MA, and PhD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Experimental Psychology.


15.40

Round up of Day 1


16.00

Close

Time

Programme

Speakers

9.00

Welcome


9.10

Using data visualisation tools, analytics, and dashboards

Edge Hill University

See Biography

Ruth is the Subscriptions and Licensing Manager at Edge Hill University. Ruth has had a varied career with roles in PR and teaching, before a career change took her to working in public libraries and then moving into higher education libraries. Ruth has a particular interest in evidence based collection decisions and is never happier then when she has a problem that requires a new spreadsheet or Power BI dashboard! Ruth lives in Warrington and enjoys making jewellery and clothes in her spare time.


09:50

Break


10:10

TBC

TBC

See Biography

TBC


10:50

Break


11.10

TBC

TBC

See Biography

TBC


11.50

Round up of day 2

TBC

See Biography

TBC


12.00

Close

Feedback

The variety of perspectives made it really interesting

Previous delegate

Fantastic lineup. Learned from all presenters. A couple who really stood out were Tasha Mellins-Cohen, Aron Lindhagen, and Andrew Knight. Their presentations were particularly relevant to my work and they had information on specific, practical processes and tips.

Previous delegate

Intense and information-packed. The sessions were just long enough and being split between two days made it easier to focus (and also schedule around work).

Previous delegate

£ 70.00

+14.00 VAT

£ 82.00

+16.40 VAT

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