Key Traffic Metrics as a Basis to Measure Library Performance

Abstract

Webometric research in the Russian library sector is just beginning to gain momentum. This article examines the experience of webometric research in libraries from the perspective of the global practice. In particular, it highlights a number of foreign works, which may have a special practical value for Russian libraries, and emphasizes important webometrics areas for libraries. The purpose of this study is to research the practical application of key performance indicators (KPIs) abroad and conduct a webometric analysis of the websites of some leading Siberian and Far Eastern scientific libraries based on selected KPIs. The study data were collected with SimilarWeb and other analytical tools. The study revealed that key traffic metrics are the basis of webometric research, and identified available promising groundwork for the purpose of their further testing. The shortcomings in the current state of the websites of the Siberian and Far Eastern scientific libraries were noted. Based on the obtained webometric traffic indicators, the ranking of the Siberian and Far Eastern scientific libraries was made.