Do any of your libraries keep statistics measuring the use of book collections,
such as circulation or reshelving statistics? If yes, please let me know, and I
will follow up.
I am trying to collect data that supports whether or not use of printed law
books has increased or decreased over the past decade. Library reshelving
statistics are probably the best indicator, but as far as I can tell, the
University of Washington is the only law library anywhere in the world that has
ever thought about keeping this data. Without biasing this group one way or
another before I hear more, I would like to find out whether other indicators of
library use support what we see from looking at the UW's data.
Circulation statistics are another indicator of library use, even though they
only measure that portion of the collection that goes out of the library. My
guess is that there are at least several law libraries out there with some circ
stats -- I know we have been keeping them here at the University of Wisconsin.
Who are you?
Please respond if your library keeps any of this data or if you have any other
suggestions for getting at the use of law books. I think we may be on the verge
of uncovering some fairly startling information!
- Blair Kauffman
University of Wisconsin
bkauffma@macc.wisc.edu
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