Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

Winter 1-3-2017

Document Type

Article

Comments

Thanks to Portland Community College for a sabbatical that led to this paper.

Abstract

This study sought to determine if there is a way to predict, before purchase, books likely to never be used in academic libraries. An unweeded community college library was selected and a random sample of unused books was compared to a second sample of items that had checked out at least three times. Two characteristics associated with non-use were found. The first characteristic was that small holdings in LC Classification ranges were associated with low book use. The second predictor was that the book came from a university or academic publisher. The academic book variable was tested against the holdings of two additional community college libraries, and the pattern still held true.

Share

COinS