Keywords

browsing, research, library discovery

Abstract

Purpose – Browsing library resources is a method long used by researchers to expand their understanding of ill-defined projects and to have serendipitous research discoveries. This study sought to understand the browsing activities of students in an academic library. Design/methodology/approach – The study used two methods. First, a link to an online survey was posted on posters throughout the library inviting students to share their browsing experience. Second, library security officers (student employees) were asked to count the number of people browsing within the stacks as they conducted their hourly walk-throughs of the library. Browsing was broadly defined as anyone who is between the ends of each stack, regardless of their activity. Data from the library security counts was compared to data from an unpublished report on browsing activity in 2017 that used similar data collection methods. Findings – Students indicated that they used a blend of online and in-person browsing to find resources needed for their research and learning, followed by using only online browsing. The mean number of in-person browsers in the library has declined since 2017. Research limitations/implications – This study had several limitations. First, the survey was a voluntary sample and had only 325 responses. It would have been better to obtain a larger more representative sample of all students, but current university policy does not allow for this. Having a larger sample might produce different results. Additionally, the survey data was self-reported, and self-reported data may not always be accurate. The same definition of browsing was used in both library security counts, but the semester and length of data collection varied. It would have been better to have the library security counts in the same semester, but different years, and for the same duration. While library security did their best to count browsers, there were more counts missed in 2017 than in 2023. Had these counts not been missed, observed browsing activity would be higher in 2017. Finally, the library is undergoing several renovation projects. Between 2017 and 2023, some stacks were weeded and removed from the open stacks. Others were moved from one area of the library to another or condensed to make room for student study spaces. These changes may have affected browsing patterns. We did not examine the effect of shifting collections. Nor did we determine changes in stacks resulting from programs that were discontinued at the university at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Practical implications – Browsing is a tried-and-true method for gaining better understanding of ill-defined research projects and to have serendipitous discoveries. Students need to be taught how to browse so they understand the benefits of browsing. Originality/value – The research is original because the research team partnered with library security to conduct extensive observations and counts of browsers within the library. This collaboration provided data that determined browsing activity within an academic library. Since the baseline data was from 2017, the data provided a pre-pandemic and post-pandemic look at browsing activity.

Original Publication Citation

Performance Measurement and Metrics