Using a journal availability study to improve access.
OBJECTIVE
Identify journal collection access and use factors.


METHODS
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Health Sciences Library patrons.


METHODS
Survey forms and user interactions were monitored once a week for twelve weeks during the fall 1997 semester. The project was based on a 1989 New Mexico State University study and used Kantor's Branching Analysis to measure responses.


RESULTS
80% of reported sought journal articles were found successfully. Along with journal usage data, the library obtained demographic and behavioral information.


CONCLUSIONS
Journals are the library's most used resource and, even as more electronic journals are offered, print journals continue to make up the majority of the collection. Several factors highlighted the need to study journal availability. User groups indicated that finding journals was problematic, and internal statistics showed people requesting interlibrary loans for owned items. The study looked at success rates, time, and ease of finding journals. A variety of reasons contributed to not finding journals. While overall user reports indicated relatively high success rate and satisfaction, there were problems to be addressed. As the library proceeds in redesigning both the physical space and electronic presence, the collected data have provided valuable direction.
Shaw-Kokot
J
J
Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7585, USA.
de la Varre
C
C
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007379:Interlibrary Loans; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D018966:Library Materials / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009657:North Carolina; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D017749:Total Quality Management