Readers' search strategies for accessing books in public libraries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to survey typical search tactics used by readers in public libraries. We analyzed whether demographic factors, the frequency of library visits, reading activity and the type of books read were associated with major search tactics. The data consisted of 1000 respondents of mail questionnaire collected in 2010 as a stratified random sample of the Finnish population aged 15 to 79 years. The most often used search tactics for accessing books in public libraries were known book or author search together with browsing search. The use of known item search strategy was associated with high educational level and the amount of non-fiction books read. The use of browsing search strategy was associated with the frequency of library visits, gender and the amount of fiction books read.