Academic

A study in 1976 at Princeton University Library showed thatout-of-order materials in high-use areas tended to cluster on shelves at eye level, whereas out-of-order materials in low-use areas tended to cluster on the top and bottom shelves.                       (Source)

        Ibid…. showed that5.83% of the collection (last shelf read during the period 1970 to 1974) out of order; 96.6% of the out-of-order materials were within 2 shelves of their correct location.                 (Source)

A study reported in 1980 over a 6-year period (1973-78) at West Virginia University main library concerning the effect of switching from closed to open stacks in 1976 with a collection of just under 1 million volumes of primarily humanities and social science materials showed that loss rate and disorder did not appear to increase under the open stack system. Specifically, for books requested on the delivery system, the number that could not be accounted for during the closed stack system (1974, no number of requests given) was 15.0%, while 2 studies of books requested on the delivery system after the stacks were opened showed 11.2% unavailable in 1977 and 12.2% unavailable in 1978 (no number of requests given).                        (Source)

Dr. David Kohl

 "Libraries in the digital age are experiencing the most profound transformation since ancient Mesopotamian scribes first began gathering and organizing cuneiform tablets."

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