Reports the findings of a six-year West Virginia University study that tested the "direct access" debate in its main library after undergoing the transition from closed to open stacks. Circulation, book availability, and search and library-use statistics are provided, and their implications are discussed. (Author/JD)

Length of time books are kept and how long it takes to return a book upon receipt of a recall notice are analyzed according to student and faculty population--faculty shown to be slower returning books. The author argues for more equitable treatment of all patrons and a policy change. (CWM)

Reports a study of the distribution of use among users of a short loan collection in an academic library. Results indicate the most active one-third of all users generate between two-thirds and three-quarters of all use. A brief list of references is provided. (Author/SW)

Explores the possibility of adding user-oriented class associations to hierarchical library classification schemes. Analyses a log of book circulation records from a university library in Taiwan and shows that classification schemes can be made more adaptable by analyzing circulation patterns of similar users. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the cyclic nature of library use focuses on the use of spectral analysis to identify periods in library circulation series and pickup for shelving at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The theoretical context of time and frequency domains is presented. (Author/LRW)

Describes an empirical Bayes method for predicting future use of library materials. Data from the University of Saskatchewan are used to illustrate practical applications of the model for simple prediction, prediction profiles, and prediction intervals. (21 references) (MES)

Argues that the gamma mixture of Poisson processes, for all its perceived defects, can be used to make predictions regarding future library book circulations of a quality adequate for general management requirements. The use of the model is extensively illustrated with data from two academic libraries. (Nine references) (CLB)

Presents a user-based approach to exploring the possibility of adding user-oriented class associations to hierarchical library classification schemes. Classes not grouped in the same subject hierarchies yet relevant to users' knowledge are obtained by analyzing a log book of a university library's circulation records, using collaborative filtering…

Undertaken to determine if the pattern of use of library reserve collections found at other college libraries continues to exist at DePauw, this study found that approximately 40 percent of all the reserve collection items never circulated during the entire semester, and that 33 percent of the collection circulated only one to five times during…

Develops an empirical model for predicting the size of an information store necessary to satisfy specified levels of demand. A method for selecting items for retirement with the least adverse impact on the store is suggested. Three tables, three figures, and a 10-item reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Reports on a five year study of 82 large academic libraries which found that both interlibrary loan lending and borrowing are correlated to collection size. (RBF)

Demonstrates the application of multiple regression and double exponential elimination to patronage and circulation data collected at the School of Education at the University of Mississippi to examine the performance of its branch library. (six references) (MES)

Describes a study that examined bibliographic and circulation records for a sample of 248 academic dissertations to determine the effect of controlled subject headings in the records on circulation of the items. Results indicate that dissertations with Library of Congress subject headings were more likely to circulate. (Author/LRW)

Based on sample data representing five years of monthly circulation totals from 50 academic libraries in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio, a study was conducted to determine the most efficient smoothing forecasting methods for academic libraries. Smoothing forecasting methods were chosen because they have been characterized…

Columbia-Greene Community College (Hudson, New York) takes a yearly 10% statistical sample of its entire circulating collection, noting the call number, acquisition year, and circulation record of each book, in order to determine the pattern of book use over the preceding 2.5 years, and to facilitate the development of an acquisition pattern that…