Counting down for e-resource statistics: Counter 4

Abstract

The main features of the new Counter 4 guidelines for collecting, processing and disseminating statistics on electronic resources usage are analyzed. The new guidelines will be mandatory in 2014 for providers who want to keep the label "Counter compliant". With the publication of the Counter code of practice for e-resources: Release 4 (Counter 4), the current guidelines Counter 3 (for journals and databases) and Counter 1 (for books and reference works) will be merged in the new code, which also will cover multimedia e-resources and advance integration efforts with the Sushi (Standardized usage statistics harvesting initiative) protocol.