Many factors are involved, but important ones include the number of registered users, the publication frequency of the journals, and the match with research interests. CCS sites saw some fall in use in July as academics left for the summer holidays. This was less noticeable at MGP sites where fewer researchers leave, or for shorter periods. Cambridge had hoped that readers would be interested in SuperJournal, as the library is physically distant from the departments. Cambridge has not only the largest number of registered users, but the largest number of user sessions after launch.
Early use is exploratory to determine what content an electronic application contains.
Serious use occurs later when the need to use the content arises. There is a certain rhythm involved in academic research which involves consulting journals at different stages and for different purposes. Though we can make users aware of new electronic services, they will only use them when the time is right. In addition to delivering some benefit, there must be a good match with the journals they want to use. Simply providing access to journals that they don't normally use does not mean that they will necessarily use them.