Status: Development
This document is currently being developed. An update is forthcoming featuring step-by-step instructions for library staff configuring entries in a Google Analytics account.
In order to track usage statistics, you can configure the Circulation Manager to connect to Google Analytics. Currently, Google Analytics is the only analytics engine supported for this function.
There are two components required to use Google Analytics to capture usage from your SimplyE service:
- configure your Google Analytics account to accommodate elements of ILS usage as registered by the Circulation Manager
- add your Google Analytics account tracking ID to an integration record for your library in the Circulation Manager Admin interface
Configure Google Analytics Dimensions for SimplyE
To capture dimension data from the SimplyE Circulation Manager in your Google Analytics account, you must set up a property in Google Analytics for the SimplyE Circulation Manager. Please note that we do not track any elements in the mobile app itself; everything is captured by the Circulation Manager so please set up your property as a website, not as a mobile application. Use the URL of your Circulation Manager as the website Google Analytics is tracking.
WARNING
In some instances, adding Dimensions incorrectly will require you to start from scratch. Please read all the instructions first and add the Dimensions carefully, in exactly the order listed.
In your Google Analytics account, on the administration page (the gear icon in the lower left corner) for the property (middle column), go to:
- Custom Definitions
> Custom Dimensions
Add the following dimensions, in this order:
- time
- identifier
- identifier_type
- title
- author
- fiction
- audience
- target_age
- publisher
- language
- genre
- open_access
Each dimension should have the scope set to Hit and the Active box checked.
Configure the Google Analytics Integration
In order to send circulation-related analytics events to your Google Analytics account, follow the instructions below to create a Google Analytics integration for your library in the Circulation Manager.
Step-by-step guide
- Login to your Circulation Manager's administration site.
- Click the Configuration or the System Configuration link in the top menu bar.
- Click the Analytics sidebar item.
- Click the Create new analytics service item.
- Enter a name for the library/consortia-specific service; for example,
ABC Public Library Google Analytics. - Leave the Protocol setting at Google Analytics.
- The URL setting should also be correct and can be accepted as is.
- Click the Add Library drop-down list.
- Select the library for which this Google Analytics account applies.
- In the new Tracking ID field which appears, enter the library/consortia's Google Analytics account ID.
- Click the Add Library button.
- Click the Submit button to save the new integration.
