What factors are contributing to the declining usage of ProQuest's Historical Newspapers database among university libraries this quarter?

Introduction

The declining usage of ProQuest's Historical Newspapers database among university libraries this quarter is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. To address this issue, I'll employ a systematic approach to identify, validate, and resolve the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for our product strategy.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Considering the timing, I'm wondering if there's been a recent change in the academic calendar. Have we seen similar usage patterns in previous quarters or years?

Why it matters: Seasonal fluctuations could explain the decline and impact our approach. Expected answer: No significant changes in academic calendars. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on long-term trends rather than immediate fixes.

• Looking at user segments, I'm curious about the distribution of the decline. Is the usage drop consistent across all types of universities or concentrated in specific segments?

Why it matters: Helps identify if the issue is universal or specific to certain user groups. Expected answer: Decline is more pronounced in smaller, liberal arts colleges. Impact on approach: We'd tailor our solution to address the needs of the most affected segments.

• Thinking about recent product changes, have there been any significant updates to the database interface or content in the past quarter?

Why it matters: Recent changes could be directly impacting user experience and usage. Expected answer: A new search algorithm was implemented last month. Impact on approach: We'd focus on validating the effectiveness of the new algorithm and potentially rolling back if necessary.

• Considering external factors, has there been any shift in the competitive landscape or new alternatives entering the market?

Why it matters: External pressures could be drawing users away from our product. Expected answer: A new open-source historical newspaper archive launched recently. Impact on approach: We'd need to reassess our value proposition and differentiation strategy.