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)

This analysis of the circulation records of books added to a psychiatric library from July 1983 through May 1985 reports the total number of books circulated, their number and percentage in specific subject areas, missing titles, and usage by in-house and off-site borrowers. Implications for future collection development are explained. (Author/EM)

Previous studies on use of library materials based on borrowing behavior failed to address the issue of how the measurement of library book use might be expanded to a broader definition of use, specifically to include browsing behavior. The development of a non-obtrusive and accurate measurement for browsing behavior has remained a challenge.…

Reports on a longitudinal study of public-library borrowing that shows that high-volume borrowers are both consistent and persistent in their borrowing. Topics include identification of high-intensity borrowers; exploration of behavioral consistency; persistence of use; and personal and behavioral characteristics. (Author/LRW)

Using Ehrenberg's application of mathematical models to the analysis and prediction of repeated buying patterns of consumers, this study focuses on the concept of library use as a form of consumer behavior. The following hypotheses were tested: designated library user groups will tend to exhibit stable behavioral patterns with respect to the…

Two surveys were conducted: (1) one of 78 ERIC document users at Ohio State University to gather data on how they find and use the ERIC documents and their attitudes toward the library's lending policy; and (2) one of 218 academic libraries with ERIC microfiche collections to obtain information on their patrons' access to and use of ERIC…

Describes a study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, to determine the utilization of federal, state, local, and international documents. Highlights include circulation versus in-house use, status of borrower, gender, classes of documents used, microfiche use, date of publications used, and comparisons with previous use studies. (29…

This report describes a survey of 942 California State University, Northridge, (CSUN) library patrons conducted from March 15 through April 15, 1987. The survey was administered by student interviewers who approached patrons exiting the two CSUN libraries and asked them questions from the survey questionnaire. Survey findings are briefly…

During a 5-day period in 1990, a total of 1,401 reciprocal borrowers in the North Suburban Library System (NSLS) received questionnaires asking about their choice of library and other aspects of borrowing behavior to provide data on the reciprocal borrowing characteristics and patterns within the system. This survey was designed to identify the…

This discussion of ways to solve the problem of overdue library materials reviews three pertinent articles from the library literature, several studies of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library system, and a 1985 study at a southwestern public library. Attempted solutions are cited, including fines, overdue notices, retrieval methods such as the…

Characteristics of periodical use at a small liberal arts college were studied using a methodology aimed at providing a more accurate system for data collection by recording all the periodicals used in an entire semester. In the John J. Wright Library at La Roche College (Pennsylvania), circulation records were consulted, and one person while…

Eight issues of a newsletter on recent library statistics provide information on Colorado public library cards, public library use, Internet use by librarians, school library media centers, electronic services in academic libraries, and the role of information in entertainment. In 1995, Coloradans had 2.5 million library cards, and three times as…

Reviews the literature of government document use from mid-1977 through December 1989. The literature is identified and analyzed in terms of 6 library surveys, 3 citation studies, and 13 user surveys. Research findings indicate that social scientists are the heaviest users of documents. (Author/MAB)

Libraries at 52 U.S. colleges and universities offering engineering programs were surveyed by mail to determine how they handled the engineering information needs of off-campus, nonacademic users. Twenty-five provided usable responses. For this sample, 60.4% of the estimated service is to companies, 18.8% to consultants/entrepreneurs/inventors,…

Data from a computerized circulation system were used to analyze usage patterns of a middle school library (grades 6-8) and to suggest ways the available data may be interpreted and used to decide upon future collection management and acquisition policies. Tables show composition and use of the various ranges in the collection. (14 references)…