Detailed
study of the usage of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute's Library
web site has been undertaken. Server log files are used to
gain quantitative usage information. It is very important
to understand how users access library collections, what problems
they find, and what their usage patterns are. Compiled and
interpreted properly, log information provides a baseline
of statistics that indicate use levels. Such analysis also
provides some technical information regarding server load,
unusual activities, or unsuccessful requests, and can assist
in marketing and web site development, as well as management
activities. Data captured in the log files are discussed.
The difficulties of log file analysis are presented. The limitations
of log file data, Web log analysis software, and the inherent
nature of the Web mean that log file statistics should be
interpreted extremely cautiously.