The decline in book borrowing from Britain's public libraries: a small scale Scottish study

Abstract

PurposeTo discuss and investigate the reasons for the decline in book borrowing in UK public libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an extensive literature review and a small scale survey.FindingsThe reasons why adults were not borrowing as many books from public libraries as the past were many faceted, including intrinsic and extrinsic reasons. Some of these reasons include an increased level of buying books as opposed to borrowing, lack of time to visit the library, the opening hours of the library, stock selection, and restrictive borrowing periods and fines.Research limitations/implicationsAs a small scale survey the results are of limited impact, however they do inform as to some of the reasons why adults are not borrowing from public libraries and as such are of value to policy makers and researchers in the area.Practical implicationsResults are of value to public librarians and policy makers in understanding why adults are not borrowing books from libraries in the levels of the past.Originality/valueThe paper builds on other work in the field to offer an insight into a specific challenge facing public libraries in the 21st century.