Book circulation is a common measure of success for libraries. Recently we did a quick study on the use of physics books in Rodgers Library. We wanted to know if the books we acquired are meeting needs of students and faculty for learning, instruction and research. Are books being checked-out? Well the answer if you believe in the MO test, yes. An experiment was run in class QC (physics) in May 2011. Test A: at random pulled three books from the shelves and examined date due slips. Results showed that all three books circulated since 2002. Repeat the experiment. Test B: again at random pulled three QC books from the shelves and checked the date due slips. In the 2nd test, results showed much the same as all three books circulated since 2005. Even while the data is a bit thin, the study demonstrates the value of the physics collection. Results from this study are not at all that surprising, since Rodgers Library seeks to closely match new book selections with instruction and research going on in UA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Month: May 2011
NEW SPACE FOUND IN RODGERS LIBRARY
Historically, space has been a premium in libraries, as collections continued to grow and fill up the stacks. This has been the case for Rodgers Library, too, at least until recently. What’s changed? First, the UA Libraries opened an off-campus storage building (the Annex) a few years ago. This allowed for transfer of pre-1980 bound journals and some older books to the storage facility. Electronic publishing, a more recent development, has helped the situation as well. Journal issues arriving by the thousands each year have stopped coming. In their place, Rodgers Library receives electronic journals. Hence, the space crisis has disappeared, fortunately. With “space recovery” come new opportunities. Rodgers library is considering repurposing newly available space at this time. This will benefit services aimed at the public, such as more reader tables and more group study areas. Library patrons should watch for changes in space utilization in the coming months.