Literaturnachweis - Detailanzeige
Autor/in | Evans, John E. |
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Institution | Memphis State Univ., TN. Univ. Libraries. |
Titel | Economics of Information Resource Utilization: Applied Research in the Academic Community. |
Quelle | (1995), (40 Seiten)
PDF als Volltext |
Sprache | englisch |
Dokumenttyp | gedruckt; online; Monographie |
Schlagwörter | Costs; Data Analysis; Higher Education; Information Retrieval; Interlibrary Loans; Library Services; Online Searching; Optical Data Disks; Search Intermediaries; Trend Analysis; Use Studies; User Needs (Information); User Satisfaction (Information); Users (Information) |
Abstract | This analysis of library system and service activity provides a retrospective view of user choices in a multi-system environment. Using historical data to predict future demands, conclusions are drawn from the data that should guide future planning and development activities. Ex post facto analysis of 15 years' data was performed on the use of information retrieval and document delivery, and the characteristics of the users. Results showed that mediated searching peaked through the mid 1980s, then began a sharp decline, while the average cost per search rose steadily throughout the study period. Faculty and students accounted for 80% of the total mediated search activity. Use and cost of two fee-based search services, U-SEARCH and IRS (Information Retrieval Services), are compared. The advent of the compact disc (CD-ROM) work station, with no user costs and direct user searching, altered the use patterns of the mediated search services; while the use of CD-ROM searching skyrocketed, U-SEARCH and IRS steadily declined. Surprisingly, the increase in personal searching in the CD-ROM area has not reduced service demands. Instead, reference activity shows a marked increase. Document delivery also experienced an increase in use in the same period. Document delivery data also shows an increasing gap between borrowing and lending, and the steep increase in borrowing demand since 1990 parallels the increases experienced in other service areas of the library. In general, there appears a greater willingness on the part of the user to invest time and physical effort, with the possibility of error or omission, rather than spend money for a fast, sure, guaranteed product. Thirteen figures illustrate the data trends. (Contains 26 references.) (MAS) |
Erfasst von | ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC |