Reports the findings of a six-year West Virginia University study that tested the "direct access" debate in its main library after undergoing the transition from closed to open stacks. Circulation, book availability, and search and library-use statistics are provided, and their implications are discussed. (Author/JD)

Reports a study of the distribution of use among users of a short loan collection in an academic library. Results indicate the most active one-third of all users generate between two-thirds and three-quarters of all use. A brief list of references is provided. (Author/SW)

Discussion of the cyclic nature of library use focuses on the use of spectral analysis to identify periods in library circulation series and pickup for shelving at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The theoretical context of time and frequency domains is presented. (Author/LRW)

Describes a book availability study using the ACCESS retrieval and delivery system for the evaluation of library services. (CWM)

Undertaken to determine if the pattern of use of library reserve collections found at other college libraries continues to exist at DePauw, this study found that approximately 40 percent of all the reserve collection items never circulated during the entire semester, and that 33 percent of the collection circulated only one to five times during…

Develops an empirical model for predicting the size of an information store necessary to satisfy specified levels of demand. A method for selecting items for retirement with the least adverse impact on the store is suggested. Three tables, three figures, and a 10-item reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Columbia-Greene Community College (Hudson, New York) takes a yearly 10% statistical sample of its entire circulating collection, noting the call number, acquisition year, and circulation record of each book, in order to determine the pattern of book use over the preceding 2.5 years, and to facilitate the development of an acquisition pattern that…

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between use of the academic library and the classroom program at DePauw University, a small, four-year liberal arts college. Recorded circulation from the three campus libraries for the second semester of 1975-76 was studied and related to such variables as declared academic major, academic…

Based on a study of the book collection of Columbia-Greene Community College Library (New York) carried out in the summer of 1987, this report investigates the relationship of age and previous use to the future use of books. An examination of the acquisition year and circulation records of 10% of the library's book collection (approximately 4,000…

The process described in this manual is designed to help small academic libraries systematically study the use of their circulating book collections. Originally developed in 1980, the manual has been used successfully in several small college libraries, both with and without assistance from outside consultants. In most cases, the study can be…

Uses bibliometric techniques in the development of a model of the distribution of demand for items in an information store. The hypothesis of hyperbolic distribution and an index of differential demand are also discussed. One table, two figures, and a 10-item reference list accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Examines the distribution of use of items in a large information store and suggests that a simple exponential model describes the process of obsolescence more precisely. Three tables, four figures, and a 17-item reference list are included. (Author/JL)

This study tests the widely cited proposition that 20% of a library's books account for 80% of its circulation. Using data collected for a collection development survey, it was found that of the sample of 4,213 books, 799, or 19%, accounted for 79% of the circulation during 1987. In fact, 25% of the books accounted for all of the circulation that…

This basic discussion of the organization of bibliographic instruction programs in an academic setting includes consideration of factors involved in implementing an innovative program. Several stages in developing and organizing a systematic program are reviewed: creating student awareness of the academic library in general, introduction to use of…

Use studies were conducted at the main libraries and science branches at the Davis and Santa Cruz campuses of the University of California to gather data for use in the detailed planning for establishing regional compact shelving facilities for infrequently circulated library material. Analysis of preliminary data on the three areas…