A statistical analysis of the tangible fine art book collection at an academic library

Abstract

This study examines circulation and interlibrary loan data for the fine art print books collection at an academic library in the southeastern United States. By employing a quantitative analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics, a better understanding of the relationships between the circulation of subtypes of titles within the LC “N” (fine arts) call number range, user groups (faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students), and the publication date emerges. The findings of this study show that borrowers prefer books with more recent publication dates, most fine art books circulate one to two times within 10 years, and undergraduate students borrow most of all user groups. The results of the study also promote the understanding that users of the fine art book collection continue to rely heavily upon print books. It also helps to inform future collections decisions and communicate to art liaison librarians best practices for targeting user needs in this area of the collection. The tangible fine art book collection remains essential to the research and scholarship of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students on campus and within the academic community at large.