Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Winter 1-3-2017
Document Type
Article
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.
Comments
Thanks to Portland Community College for a sabbatical that led to this paper.