Library Use and User Research (With Twenty Case Studies)

It is an unusual compendium of twenty independent case studies on the same set of library user population conducted by the author over a decade or so. It provides a sound theoretical background and framework with extensive review of literature and a review of important similar past use and user studies. The book also gives, in nutshell, the need for appropriate research methodology to be followed. An exclusive chapter on the background of the user population explored in these case studies helps reader to have continuity from one case study to another as well as to have insight into these studies. Case studies are grouped conveniently under different themes like user visit, movement and length of stay in the library, user requirements, user participation in collection development, use of collection, user interactions with the library, communication and citation behaviour, etc. The case studies use several complementary investigation methods and data collection tools and techniques. The results and findings are presented in juxtaposition with the findings of some related past studies. The book intends to serve as a handbook of model case studies for students, teachers, researchers and practitioners in library and information science and for all those concerned with library use studies and user research and enable them to conduct similar studies on other groups of users in their own environment.