External users of a university library

Abstract

Over a six year period, during which reciprocal borrowing was introduced, visits by external users to the University Library, The University of Western Australia increased only slightly overall. Visits to the main Library increased greatly but visits to branches decreased and while visits by members of reciprocal institutions increased, visits by other types of external user decreased. External user visits were more likely than institutional user visits to include use of reference services, OPAC s and material from the shelves and were less likely to include borrowing, photocopying and use of study desks. Although there is a measurable workload involved in catering for external users, external use of library services (excluding stock) does not appear to disadvantage institutional users.