User Study of the Local History Collection at the Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) Public Library

Abstract

Public library patrons have many diverse areas of interest It is very important that the librarians serving these users know what subject areas they are interested in and what materials they would like to have in their collection. The increasing amount of literature on the study of regional history indicates a need for more research on this topic in relation to public libraries. Studying the use of the local history collection at a particular library will show librarians in the field how to successfuly operate such a collection in their own libraries. To provide more data on this topic a project was designed to determine the patterns of use of the local history collection at the Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) Public Library. A user survey was conducted using questionnaires provided for patrons entering the room and using the historical materials. It was discovered that most users of the local history collection were not scholarly researchers, as was presumed by the staff, but general patrons looking for personal...