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How biomedical investigators use library books.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 1, 1966
Summary
Biomedical researchers frequently found library books useful for obtaining needed information, primarily for research purposes. Most books used were recent publications, indicating the importance of up-to-date resources in scientific inquiry.
Area of Science:
- Library and Information Science
- Medical Informatics
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on the usage patterns of biomedical books within research settings.
- Understanding how researchers interact with library resources is crucial for effective collection development and service provision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utilization of library books by biomedical researchers.
- To identify how biomedical investigators discover, use, and perceive the usefulness of library materials.
Main Methods:
- A six-month study at Yale Medical Library involving interviews with biomedical researchers.
- Data collection via questionnaires administered to researchers based on returned library books.
- Analysis of book usage, information discovery, and perceived utility.
Main Results:
- Monographs constituted 30.4% of returned researcher volumes.
- Approximately 80% of borrowed books provided desired information.
- Around 80% of books utilized were published within the last decade.
- 90% of book usage was for research, with 10% for lecture preparation.
Conclusions:
- Biomedical library books are a valuable resource, with a high rate of successful information retrieval.
- Recent publications are predominantly used, highlighting the need for current biomedical literature.
- The primary utility of these books is for research activities, underscoring their role in advancing scientific knowledge.