scholarly journals The Quality of Academic Library Building Improvements Has a Positive Impact on Library Usage

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Julie McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Gate Count ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pearson's R ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pearson’S R

A review of: Shill, Harold B. and Shawn Tonner. “Does the Building Still Matter? Usage Patterns in New, Expanded, and Renovated Libraries, 1995-2002.” College & Research Libraries 65.2 (Mar. 2004): 123-150. Objective – To measure the impact of academic library facility improvements on physical library usage. Design – The facility improvement data used for this study were previously collected through a 68-item Web survey for the companion article “Creating a Better Place: Physical Improvements in Academic Libraries, 1995-2002” (Shill and Tonner). The measurement of library usage was by exit gate counts before and after library improvements. Setting – American academic libraries in which: facility improvement projects were completed between 1995 and 2002, the project space was not smaller than 20,000 square feet, the project space did not include off-site storage or non-public space, and gate-count statistics from before and after facility changes were available. Subjects – Ninety of 384 identified academic libraries were able to provide usable data on: exit gate count, total circulation, in-house collection use, and reference transaction data. Methods – The data collection was undertaken in 2003 for the companion study (Shill and Tonner). A population of 384 libraries potentially able to meet criteria for the study was gathered and each library was invited by e-mail to complete a Web-based survey. Through this initial contact, 357 libraries were confirmed as meeting the study criteria, and responses were received from 182 of those providing a 51% overall response rate. Respondents were asked about institutional characteristics (public or private, Carnegie classification, etc.); project specific features (year of completion, nature of project, etc.); nature and extent of changes (seating, wiring, HVAC, etc.); presence of non-library services in the facility; collection arrangements; before and after quality changes in lighting, seating and a range of services (as assessed by the survey respondent); and before and after project completion gate count usage statistics. Respondents were asked a set of eleven questions each with a five-point scale about facility quality and librarian satisfaction with the former and the changed facility. A further criteria requirement of the availability of pre- and post-project gate count was implemented, reducing the number of libraries to be studied to 90. Facility usage changes were calculated by subtracting the gate count total for the last complete year pre-project from the most recent year gate count post project. Main results - Eighty percent of the 90 libraries reported increased gate count post-project, and 20 percent reported a decline in usage. The median increase across the libraries was 37.4 percent with 25.6 percent of libraries experiencing a post-project increase of 100 percent or more. Renovated facilities were more likely to see usage decline, but there was no statistically significant difference in usage change between renovated and new facilities. Libraries more recently upgraded saw greater usage growth than those renovations completed earlier in the study period, although 75 percent of the facilities continued to experience higher post-project usage levels. Nearly all of the private institutions (93.1%) experienced usage increases and almost half experienced growth of 100 percent or more. No statistically significant relationship was found between changes in post project usage and: The proportion of facility space allocated for library functions The physical location of the library on campus The size of the library facility The level of degrees offered at the institution The availability of wireless access The number of computers in the instruction lab The number of public access workstations A larger number of seats The number of group study rooms The shelving capacity, the use of compact shelving or off-site storage The presence of coffee or snack bars The presence of any non-library facilities There was a statistically significant correlation (Pearson’s r) between increased post project usage and: The institution type (public or private) (p=.000) The number of data ports in the facility (p=.005) The percent of wired seats (p=.034) Ten elements relating to improved quality emerged as statistically significant in relation to increased usage, although the correlation for quality of artificial lighting was not statistically significant (p=.162 n.s.). The statistically significant correlations (Pearson’s r) between quality and increased usage in order of strength of correlation were: the quality of the instruction lab (p=.000); layout (p=.001); public access workstations (p=.006); natural lighting (p=.007); user workspace (p=.008); telecommunications infrastructure (p=.014); overall ambience (p=.020); collection storage (p=.026); heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system (p=.026); and service point locations (p=.038). Conclusion – This study confirmed that 80 percent of libraries experience usage increase after a library improvement project. The study revealed those investments that cause increased use, and also found that a number of variables previously predicted to cause usage growth were not significant. The study also found that quality of the improvements, additions, and the building are a significant driver of increased use. The median 37.4 percent increase demonstrates that, contrary to reports in the literature (Shill and Tonner 460), overall library usage is increasing in these institutions.

scholarly journals Library Fines Make a Difference in Academic Library Book Return Behaviour

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Sue F. Phelps
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Due Dates ◽  
Grace Period ◽  
Return Rates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

A Review of: Sung, J. S., & Tolppanen, B. P. (2013). Do library fines work?: Analysis of the effectiveness of fines on patron’s return behavior at two mid-sized academic libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39(6), 506-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.08.011 Abstract Objectives – To quantify library fines and their impact on patron return behaviour. Design – Hypothesis testing of data extracted from integrated library systems. Setting – Two midsize academic libraries, including one from the Pacific, University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM), and one from the Midwest, Eastern Illinois University (EIU). Subjects – Undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Methods – The authors collected data from two midsized universities. The universities have identical integrated library systems, which allowed for uniform data extraction. The authors counted book returns in each population group (undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty) for those books that were returned before and after the due dates with a focus on late fees as the primary variable. The authors tested the following five hypotheses: • Hypothesis 1: “There is no difference in return rates before due dates among the UHM patron groups because the fine policy is the same for all patron groups” (p. 507). • Hypothesis 2: “Before 2006, the EIU undergraduate students’ return rates before due dates should be the highest among the three EIU groups because this was the only group which had overdue fines. . . . There should be no difference in the return rates before due dates between EIU faculty and EIU graduate students (both groups had no overdue fines)” (p. 507). • Hypothesis 3: “EIU graduate students’ return rates before due dates was lower for 2002–2006 than 2007–2011” (p. 507). This hypothesis tests the impact of a change in fine policy that the library implemented in the fall of 2006. • Hypothesis 4: “UHM undergraduate students’ return rates before due dates is higher than that of EIU undergraduate students” because there is no grace period for UHM undergraduates (p. 507). EIU undergraduate students have a 10-day grace period. • Hypothesis 5: “UHM faculty’s return rates before due dates is higher than that of EIU faculty” (p. 507). UHM faculty incur overdue fines, but EIU faculty encounter no penalty for overdue materials. From the integrated library systems, the authors extracted data for the number of books returned before due dates and after overdue notices and for the number of books borrowed by the different populations for the time period starting with Fall 2002 and ending with Spring 2011. The authors analyzed the data using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and made comparisons using analysis of variance (ANOVA) expressed with an F-ratio and p-value < 0.01 as the level of significance. Main Results – The findings did not support hypotheses 1 or 2. For hypothesis 1, in which fines were the same for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, return rates increased with academic level and faculty groups. The rates were 90.4%, 93.9%, and 95.7%, respectively (F = 112.1, p < 0.001). For hypothesis 2, the return rate was 88.8% for undergraduates, 92.6% for graduate students, and 80.1% for faculty. The group difference was small but still statistically significant (F = 171.4, p < 0.001). The graduate students, who were not fined, had significantly higher return rates before due dates than undergraduates who incurred fines. Graduate students had higher return rates than faculty, though both groups had no fines. The data did not support hypotheses 3 and 4. For hypothesis 3, no significant change occurred in return rates before and after imposing fines (F = 5.75, p = .031). For hypothesis 4, the return rates of undergraduates at the university with a grace period showed no statistically significant difference in return rates from those undergraduates with no grace period (F = 4.355, p = .044). The findings supported hypothesis 5. The return rates indicated a statistically significant difference between faculty with fines for overdue books and those with no fines (F = 1701, p < 0.001). For those hypotheses for which the differences were not significant, the authors cite other variables, including reminders, grace periods, maturity of the borrower, withholding of privileges, fees, and lost book charges, that may contribute to return rates. Conclusions – In answer to the main research question, the authors conclude that “fines indeed make a difference” (p. 511) in patron book return conduct. However, they also note that fines can mar the reputation of the library creating a barrier to access and that courtesy notices and overdue notices are also effective ways to ensure timely return of materials.

Impact of adenotonsillectomy on the quality of life of patients operated on at the Hospital de Clínicas, Paraguay

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Carlos Mena Canata ◽  
Rebeca Noemí Ruiz Vallejos
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study is to determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy on the quality of life of postoperative patients.The study is observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective. The files of all postoperative adenotonsillectomy patients in Otorhinolaryngology Service, Hospital de Clínicas, San Lorenzo Paraguay. The Obstructive sleep apnea – 18 questionnaire (OSA 18) was applied, asking patients about symptoms before and after surgery. An effective sample of 143 postoperative patients was obtained. The average age was 6.05 ± 2.08 years, 55.10% (81) were male and 44.89% (66) were female, 65.30% (96) were from urban areas and 34.69% (51) from the rural areas. The t test was performed for means of two paired samples, comparing the results of the Obstructive sleep apnea – 18 questionnaire surveys before and after surgery which presented a significant difference (p <0.05) with a tendency to improve the quality of life after surgery. It has been shown that there is a significant difference, a considerable improvement in the quality of life of patients after adenotonsillectomy.

The Impact of Hospital Accreditation on the Patients Satisfaction of Haemodialysis Department Services

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 384
Author(s):  
Zuber Mujeeb Shaikh
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Health Care Quality ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

The quality of hospital Haemodialysis Department Service is one of the most relevant items of health care quality perceived by patients and by their families. Patient satisfaction is considered a way of measuring the quality of services provided. Objectives: To study the impact of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) Accreditation, India on Haemodialysis Department Service patient satisfaction. Methods: It is a quantitative, descriptive and inferential research based case study in which sample of a population was studied by structured satisfaction survey questionnaires (before and after the accreditation) in a private tertiary care hospital at Secunderabad, Telangana State, India to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred that the population has the same or different characteristics. Significance of Research: It was observed initially before the accreditation that there was a lower patient satisfaction rate of the hospital Haemodialysis Department Services, which was affecting the study hospitals’ business. Hypothesis: Null Hypothesis (Ho) and Alternative Hypothesis (H1) were used and tested to compare the before and after impact of accreditation by applying to each question in the questionnaire. Study Design: The closed ended questionnaire was developed considering the Haemodialysis Department Services and incorporated the six dimensions of quality Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient-centred (STEEP) and tested prior to implementing. Questionnaires were given to the patients' families for completion upon using the Haemodialysis Department Services two months before and two months after the accreditation. The data were collected in order to cover all three shifts of the Haemodialysis Department Services. Study Population: Simple random sampling method was selected, the researcher had involved all conscious patients (clinical conditions) from all age groups. Data Collections: Primary data were collected from the survey questionnaires. Secondary data were collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Conclusion: At the 5 % level of significance, the t-test results indicate that there is a significant difference in the responses between before (M=51.11, SD=21.89) and after accreditation (M=58.56, SD=17.28) with p-value <0.001. The mean satisfaction score has improved from before accreditation compared to after accreditation.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Use of Academic Library Resources

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Sara Connell ◽  
Lisa Wallis ◽  
David Comeaux
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted higher education, including academic libraries. This paper compares the use of library resources (including interlibrary loan, website and discovery tool pageviews, database use, patron interactions, etc.) at three university libraries before and after the pandemic. The latter part of the 2019 and 2020 spring semesters are the time frames of focus, although two control time frames from earlier in those semesters are used to determine how the semesters differed when the coronavirus was not a factor. The institutions experienced similar patterns of use across many metrics.

scholarly journals The Impact of Performance Based Budget (Pbb) on Projects Effectiveness, Quality and Sustainability in Fako and Meme Divisions of the South West Region, Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 92-107
Author(s):  
Roland A. Anyingang
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
The South ◽  
West Region ◽  
South West ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
South West Region

The study examined the impact of performance based budget on projects effectiveness, quality and sustainability in Fako and Meme Divisions of the South West Region, Cameroon. Three specific objectives were formulated to guide this study. The objectives investigated the impact of performance based budget on the effectiveness of projects, the impact of performance based budget on the quality of projects and the impact of performance based budget on the sustainability of projects. Ex-post facto research design was used for this study. The sample of this study was made up 420 respondents comprising of service providers, beneficiaries of the projects and staff of the Regional Delegation of Water and Energy and the Regional Delegation of Public Works in Fako and Meme Divisions. A well validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and dependent t-test. Findings revealed that there exist a significant difference in the quality of roads, water and electricity projects before and after implementation of performance based budget with the quality of roads higher after the full implementation than before the implementation of PBB. There exist a significant difference in the effectiveness of road, water and electricity projects before and after implementation of water projects, and there exist a significant difference in the sustainability of road, water and electricity projects before and after implementation of performance based budget. The study recommended that the effectiveness of the budgetary system should be improved so that the quality and sustainability of projects will be obtained.  Moreover, good budget begets good results.    

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF "SM" TOOL TO REDUCE DETERGENT LEVELS IN LAUNDRY WASTEWATER

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-202
Author(s):  
Tri Marthy Mulyasari
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Waste ◽  
T Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Paired T Test

Introduction: The use of detergent every year is increasing in line with the population growth rate in Indonesia. The impact of excessive use of detergent will result in pollution and damage to ecosystems and aquatic biota. The nature of detergents is to damage microorganisms. The dominant laundry waste comes from softeners and detergents. The research aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the "SM" tool to reduce detergent levels in laundry wastewater. Methods: This type of research was pre-experimental with a one-shot case study design. The independent variable was a tool to recycle laundry liquid waste into clean water "SM." The dependent variable was the detergent level (MBAS). The sample came from the laundry in the Kecamatan Baturraden area. Replication was carried out six times. Analyzing differences in detergent levels before and after being treated with the "SM" tool. The analysis used a paired T test. Result and discussion: The experimental results showed the “SM” tool could treat 960 liters of wastewater/day. The physical quality of the water after being treated using the “SM” tool, the water was colorless or clear, but it still smelled slightly fragrantly. The average level of detergent level checks before processing was 2.52 mg/L and after processing was 0.01 mg/L. The effective detergent parameter (MBAS) decreased by 99.51%, categorized as quite effective. The analysis using the paired T Test showed the p value of 0.239 with the lower and upper values being at one pole, meaning there was a significant difference between detergent levels before and after being processed utilizing the "SM" tool. Conclusion: Detergent levels (MBAS) after processing met the chemical quality requirements of clean water in accordance with Regulation of the Minister of Health Number 32 of 2017 concerning Environmental Health Quality Standards and Water Health Requirements for Sanitation Hygiene, Solus Per Aqua and Public Bathing Needs.

scholarly journals The Impact of Cataract Surgery on Vision-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Distress in Monocular Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Xuepei Li ◽  
Jianqiang Lin ◽  
Zidong Chen ◽  
Guangming Jin ◽  
Danying Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Rating ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Impact

Purpose. To determine the changes in vision-related quality of life and psychological distress after cataract surgery in monocular patients and to compared these with a control group of age- and gender-matched binocular patients. Methods. We enrolled 40 monocular patients and 40 binocular patients who underwent cataract surgery from August 2017 to December 2018. All participants undertook eye examinations and answered questionnaires (the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Self-rating Depression Scale) before and after cataract surgery. Result. The monocular patients had significantly worse mean CDVA than the binocular patients before and after surgery. However, there was no significant difference between the increases gained by the two groups. Mean composite VFQ-25 scores of the monocular group were significantly lower than those of the binocular group before and after surgery, but the improvement experienced by the monocular group was statistically larger than the binocular group (37.20 ± 12.84 vs. 19.11 ± 5.13, P < 0.001 ). Mean standard SAS scores of monocular patients were significantly higher than those of binocular controls before and after surgery, while monocular patients experienced a significant greater decline of SAS scores (−9.41 ± 5.39 VS −3.84 ± 1.61, P < 0.001 ). Mean standard SDS scores of the monocular group were significantly higher than those of the control group before and after surgery, but the monocular group experienced a significantly greater decline of SDS scores following cataract surgery (−11.91 ± 6.38 VS −4.78 ± 1.79, P < 0.001 ). There was a significant correlation between the preoperative logMAR CDVA and both the postoperative logMAR CDVA (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 ) and the changes in the logMAR CDVA (r = −0.881, P < 0.001 ) for monocular patients. Linear regression analyses suggested that higher postoperative VFQ-25 scores had significant associations with better preoperative CDVA and the absence of systemic comorbidity (both P < 0.05 ). Age and ocular comorbidity were significantly associated with postoperative SAS scores (both P < 0.05 ). Age and systemic comorbidity remained significant impact factors for SDS scores (both P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Monocular patients reported greater improvement in vision-related quality of life and greater decline in the level of anxiety and depression than binocular control subjects, despite having similar CDVA gains after cataract surgery. We argue that it is not a better choice for monocular patients to delay cataract surgery until the cataract is very advanced. A clear understanding of the impact of cataract surgery on vision-related quality of life and psychological distress in monocular patients is needed by ophthalmologists when making surgery decision.

Sacral electroacupuncture as a treatment for urge urinary incontinence: a prospective case series

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842096884
Author(s):  
Shan Chen ◽  
Siyou Wang ◽  
Lihua Xuan ◽  
Fu Xu ◽  
Hanti Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Urge Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Improvement Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To examine the impact of electroacupuncture (EA) at the ‘four sacral points’ on urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Methods: Twenty-five patients diagnosed with UUI or urgency-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) were treated by EA at the ‘four sacral points’. EA was performed in the sacrococcygeal region using disposable sterile 0.40-mm-diameter acupuncture needles that were either 100 or 125 mm in length. Treatments were delivered once every other day. Before and after treatment, a questionnaire measuring symptom severity and quality of life associated with UUI was administered. Results: The median total score (interquartile range) from the severity of symptoms and the quality of life questionnaire (Q-score) of the participants was significantly reduced from 12 (7.5, 15) before treatment to 3 (0, 6) after 6 (6, 12) EA treatments. The Q-score of urgency-predominant MUI and UUI was 8 (5, 14.5) and 12.5 (11, 15), respectively, before treatment; after treatment these were reduced to 2 (0, 7.5) and 4.5 (2, 6), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the Q-score between urgency-predominant MUI and UUI before and after treatment. Upon treatment completion, seven patients (28%) were ‘cured’ (improvement rate 100%). Treatments were considered ‘markedly effective’ (improvement rate 75% to <100%) in four patients (16%), ‘effective’ (improvement rate 50% to <75%) in eight patients (32%), ‘minimally effective’ (improvement rate 25% to <50%) in three patients (12%), and ‘ineffective’ (improvement rate <25%) in three patients (12%). The overall success rate (comprising ‘cured’, ‘markedly effective’ and ‘effective’ categories) was 76%, and no adverse effects associated with acupuncture treatment were reported. Conclusion: EA at the ‘four sacral points’ was associated with statistically significant improvements in UUI.

scholarly journals The impact of a computerized physician order entry system implementation on 20 different criteria of medication documentation—a before-and-after study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Jungreithmayr ◽  
Andreas D. Meid ◽  
Janina Bittmann ◽  
Markus Fabian ◽  
Ulrike Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Computerized Physician Order Entry ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Order Entry ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Physician Order Entry ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The medication process is complex and error-prone. To avoid medication errors, a medication order should fulfil certain criteria, such as good readability and comprehensiveness. In this context, a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system can be helpful. This study aims to investigate the distinct effects on the quality of prescription documentation of a CPOE system implemented on general wards in a large tertiary care hospital. Methods In a retrospective analysis, the prescriptions of two groups of 160 patients each were evaluated, with data collected before and after the introduction of a CPOE system. According to nationally available recommendations on prescription documentation, it was assessed whether each prescription fulfilled the established 20 criteria for a safe, complete, and actionable prescription. The resulting fulfilment scores (prescription-Fscores) were compared between the pre-implementation and the post-implementation group and a multivariable analysis was performed to identify the effects of further covariates, i.e., the prescription category, the ward, and the number of concurrently prescribed drugs. Additionally, the fulfilment of the 20 criteria was assessed at an individual criterion-level (denoted criteria-Fscores). Results The overall mean prescription-Fscore increased from 57.4% ± 12.0% (n = 1850 prescriptions) before to 89.8% ± 7.2% (n = 1592 prescriptions) after the implementation (p < 0.001). At the level of individual criteria, criteria-Fscores significantly improved in most criteria (n = 14), with 6 criteria reaching a total score of 100% after CPOE implementation. Four criteria showed no statistically significant difference and in two criteria, criteria-Fscores deteriorated significantly. A multivariable analysis confirmed the large impact of the CPOE implementation on prescription-Fscores which was consistent when adjusting for the confounding potential of further covariates. Conclusions While the quality of prescription documentation generally increases with implementation of a CPOE system, certain criteria are difficult to fulfil even with the help of a CPOE system. This highlights the need to accompany a CPOE implementation with a thorough evaluation that can provide important information on possible improvements of the software, training needs of prescribers, or the necessity of modifying the underlying clinical processes.

scholarly journals Constrained? An Analysis of U.S. Academic Library Shifts in Spending, Staffing, and Utilization, 1998–2008

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Regazzi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Postsecondary Institutions ◽  
Private Institutions ◽  
Gate Count ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Type Size ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Reference Service ◽  
Doctoral Institutions

The study provides an analysis of U.S. academic library spending, staffing and utilization trends from data collected during the period between 1998 and 2008. Data used in this study are part of the NCES biennial survey of approximately 3,700 degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Confirming previous studies, there has been an order of magnitude change in the expenditure of e-books and e-serials; but, contrary to the view of being fiscally restrained, libraries have received investments and increases of approximately 12 percent above inflation over the period with significant increases in nearly every area of library operation. Library staffing is being diversified, while use of physical library assets are in decline for every metric in the study—gate count, reference service, general and reserve circulation. Academic libraries cannot be treated as a homogenous group of institutions, and the study analyzes shifts by type, size, and Carnegie class of institution, illustrating significant difference among these classes of academic libraries, particularly among large doctoral institutions and other academic libraries, with large public and doctoral private institutions driving growth, while small and medium-sized academic libraries have fallen behind in both collections and staff investments.

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