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Use of current journals by Indian space technologists

Sridhar, M. S. (1986) Use of current journals by Indian space technologists . The Serials Librarian 10(3 Spring):pp. 77-93.

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Abstract

[English abstract]

Two latest sample issues of 485 journals subscribed to by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Satellite Centre (ISAC) library were monitored, and 1,120 in-house uses and 4,475 lent out uses were recorded over three months from the date of their first display in the library. The paper explains the methodology followed, sample covered and various limitations of the study. Use of journals is analysed by means of frequency tables showing average use per title and average use per person. The study identified unused, least used and most used journals; compared in-house use with lent out use; and examined the use of journals belonging to differing subject groups. A frequency distribution table of use over number of users is presented and the number of titles and number of subject groups in which journals are used are analysed. The study draws attention to the moderate use of journals made by Indian space technologists, with an average of about 6 uses per issue per quarter and with relatively scare use of secondary journals.

Keywords:Use studies, user studies, space technologists, use of journals, current journals, special libraries
Subjects:C. Users, literacy and reading. > CA. Use studies.
ID Code:11542
Deposited By:Sridhar, M S
Deposited On:28 September 2007
All fields:Show all fields

REFERENCES AND NOTES

1. Allen Kent et al., Use of Library Materials : the University of Pittsburgh study., New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1979, p 61.

2. University of Pittsburgh, the Senate Library Committee, The Study of Library Use at Pitt by Professor Allen Kent et al: a Pittsburgh reply. University of Pittsburgh, July 1979, p 30.

3. Ibid, p 30.

4. Ibid, p 38.

5. Though the present study is not on comparable grounds with Kent's study, similar data from Kent's study are provided at appropriate places. The use (both inhouse and lentout) per person per trimester is 16.6 for physics, 0.67 for engineering, 2.5 for computer science and 1.7 for mathematics. Hence, Kent concluded that the usage of journals was generally very low. Allen Kent et al. Idem, p 65 and 67.

6. Ibid, p 74.

7. Allen Kent et al., Idem p 69.

8. It may be compared with the average number of uses per year (includes all issues and bound journals unlike the present study) of 33.2 in physics, 9.3 in computer science, 7.2 in mathematics and 4.0 in engineering of Kent's study, Ibid, p 69.

9. Daily issues data for three months subsequently collected revealed that on an average books constituted 80% of daily issues followed by journals with 14.8%. There were 895 issue transactions for journals in the quarter which amounted to an average of 3.7 uses per user. During the period 228 users (or 21% of registered members) borrowed journals at least once.

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