The counter code of practice,for usage statistics that are credible,compatible and consistent

The use of online information resources is growing exponentially and it is widely agreed by producers and purchasers of information that the use of these resources should be measured in a more consistent way. Librarians want to understand better how the information they use from a variety of sources is being used; publishers want to know how the information products they disseminate are being accessed. An essential requirement to meet these objectives is an agreed International Code of Practice governing the recording and exchange of usage data. The first objective of Project COUNTER was to develop such a Code of Practice. This article describes the origins of COUNTER, sets its mission in the context of other industry initiatives, outlines the plan for COUNTER, and describes Release 1 of the COUNTER Code of Practice, published in December 2002.