Reports on a study in the public libraries of Champaign and Urbana, Illinois, to determine whether public library circulation of a sample of books will be greater for those volumes displayed in a prime location than for those in their regular places on the shelves. (FM)

Based on a doctoral dissertation, this paper describes a study of why displays of books increase use. Two hypotheses were tested using standard pretest-posttest experimental designs at two small Illinois public libraries. Increased accessibility and visibility were found to be causes, while narrowing the browser's choice was not. (Author/EM)

A 1991 survey of 53 public libraries serving populations greater than 25,000 showed library circulation is increasing at a steady rate, whereas library expenditures for materials (measured in 1980 dollars) decreased in the past year. This survey showed the largest annual increase in circulation since the survey began in 1980 and the first decrease…

This report presents a model developed to examine costs of public library services, such as reference, circulation, and special programs, to be used by librarians in implementing a program budget and planning a budget system. Allocations for personnel costs, materials costs, costs of supplies and services, technical processing costs, reference use…

Reports circulation and expenditure statistics for public libraries for 1980-90, based on a representative sample of 53 U.S. public libraries serving a population of over 25,000. Data include figures for adult circulation, juvenile circulation, salary expenditures, material expenditures, and circulation and expenditures per capita. (LRW)

Discusses statistical analyses of the effect of reduction in opening hours on book issues, or borrowing, of public library authorities (PLAs) in the United Kingdom. Demonstrates the difficulties involved in using statistical data to make accurate predictions of the impact of opening hour reductions on borrowing. (Author/LRW)

The Index of American Public Library Circulation dates back to 1939, and the Index of American Public Library Expenditures to 1951. These indexes are based on annual reports from a sample of all American public libraries serving more than 25,000 people each. Using the 1982 American Library Directory, the researchers identified 1,586 public…

Data analysis of a questionnaire completed by 38 public libraries in the United States and Canada who possess "turnkey" automated circulation systems is presented. Results show that libraries are enthusiastic about benefits to staff and patrons. For libraries with increasing circulation, the computer allows more time to handle additional work load…

Conducted in 1979 to discover the extent of library use by Racine area residents, to determine their awareness of library services available, and to form conclusions and recommendations to help increase neighborhood use of the branch library, this study randomly sampled 179 residences using a questionnaire composed of 25 questions. The survey, in…

Compares users of a traditional human-mediated checkout system with users of a self-service system in a Canadian public library to determine if and why patrons will use self-service if given the option, and how library staff might play a role in the successful implementation of self-service checkout. (Author/LRW)

Frequency-of-circulation distributions from 16 United Kingdom libraries participating in initial period of operation of the Public Lending Right are discussed. Differences between the libraries are highlighted, and, for each, the adequacy of various refinements of the simplest model (geometric distribution, negative binomial distribution, or mixed…

Presents results of survey of 52 public libraries designed to determine which circulation and overdues activities affected overdue rate. Tables summarize findings on mean overdues rate, and effects of charging fines, restricting borrowing privileges, loan period, renewing books, notices sent, telephoning, court cases, population serviced, and…

Presents statistics from the 1995 Index of American Public Library Circulation, including the index of library expenditures (salary expenditures, material expenditures, and others), adult and juvenile circulation figures, circulation per capita, expenditures per capita, expenditures per circulation, and material expenditures per capita. (LRW)

Circulation for CD-ROMs rose from 56 per month in 1993 to 493 per month in 1996 at the City of York Public Library in Toronto, Canada. Discusses the need for technical expertise; quantity and quality of CD-ROMs; assessing the costs; product durability, damage, and losses; and legal issues under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Lists the…

A survey of the ownership and use of experimental films by 22 libraries in New York State concludes that the keys to increased access and use of these films are substantial state or regional backup collections available at low or no cost to individual systems; provision of promotional and educational materials to advertise these works to patrons…