Article
At
Your Leisure: Establishing a Popular Reading Collection at UBC Library
Bailey Diers
University of British Columbia Library
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Email: bailey.diers@gmail.com
Shannon Simpson
University of British Columbia Library
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Email: shannon.delay@gmail.com
Received: 23 Nov. 2011 Accepted:
21 Jan. 2012
2012 Diers and Simpson. This is an Open Access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons-Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike License 2.5 Canada (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca/),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly attributed, not used for commercial
purposes, and, if transformed, the resulting work is redistributed under the same
or similar license to this one.
Abstract
Objectives – This study investigated the leisure reading habits and
preferences of students, faculty, staff, and community members at the
University of British Columbia (UBC) in order to determine if a leisure reading
collection would fulfill a need and, if so, what form that collection should
take to best serve the population.
Methods –
This study, conducted in October 2010, consisted of a 19-question online
questionnaire distributed to a random sample of UBC undergraduate students,
graduate students, faculty, and community library users and an identical, open
participation questionnaire for the entire UBC community, including staff and
community members. In addition to some demographic information, the questionnaire
gathered information about leisure reading habits, tendencies, and the
participants’ preferences for a potential future leisure reading collection at
UBC Library.
Results –
There were 467 valid responses out of 473 total responses received from UBC
undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and community
members. Of the valid responses, 244 were received from the 1,500 random sample
invitations (a 16.3% response rate). Additionally, the questionnaire was
advertised for open participation for those not invited, resulting in the
remaining 229 responses. Results of this study
indicated overwhelming support for a leisure reading collection at UBC Library,
with 94% of respondents stating they might or would use a leisure reading
collection. This study also revealed strong leisure reading habits among all
response groups. However, only 6% of respondents currently acquire most of
their leisure reading materials from UBC Library. Additional analysis found
that UBC Library already owns 81% of the titles and authors requested by
respondents in the survey.
Conclusions –
Based on the findings, the strong support for a leisure reading collection, and
the fact that many UBC campus residents are not eligible for a free municipal public
library card and borrowing privileges, there is a genuine need for a leisure
reading collection at UBC Library. The data indicates
that if accessible and convenient, a leisure reading collection could provide
an opportunity for those who do not already read for leisure to do so.
Additionally, a UBC Library leisure reading collection could attract community
members, including those who are not UBC Library cardholders. In response to
the results of the study, a pilot leisure reading collection was created in
September 2011. This will make leisure reading materials easier to access and
will allow the Library to further analyze the potential of such a collection,
ultimately determining its future.
Introduction
It
has been identified that reading, in general, has valuable outcomes, and that
leisure reading can support an academic library’s educational mission. “Leisure
reading,” also referred to as pleasure or popular reading in the literature, is
used in this article to denote reading fiction or non-fiction books of one’s
own accord for pleasure or one’s own enrichment, rather than for work or
school. Due to the perception that
leisure reading collections are outside a typical academic library’s goals and
mission, many college and university libraries, including the University of
British Columbia (UBC) (Vancouver, Canada), have been hesitant to house a
leisure reading collection (Dewan, 2010). Some at UBC argue that providing
leisure reading is the role of a public library. However, in the UBC context,
many campus residents, including those living at undergraduate residences, do
not have access to free public library services because the campus is not
located in the City of Vancouver (Vancouver Public Library, 2011), and so there
is a potential need for a leisure reading collection at UBC Library. The scope
of this research was to answer the following:
Would
the implementation of a leisure reading collection fulfill a need among UBC
Library users?
What
form should that collection take to best serve the population?
The
feedback from all user groups – faculty, staff, graduate students,
undergraduate students, and community members – helped to develop a broad
picture of leisure reading habits and the appeal of a leisure reading
collection across all campus groups. Conducting a questionnaire of this kind
that includes many different constituencies within the UBC community expands
the traditional definition of an academic library patron. Many studies reviewed
for this article have either lacked input from library patrons or focused
solely on undergraduate users. This research study aims to fill the void in the
existing literature and presents a methodology that can be easily replicated at
other institutions.
History
of Leisure Reading Collections
Historically,
promoting leisure reading was an important function of academic librarians.
According to Zauha (1993), it was common for libraries in the 1920s and 1930s
to have several recreational reading collections or “browsing collections” throughout
the campus in libraries, dormitories, and student union buildings. Since then,
the roles and mission of the academic library have migrated toward a more
research-focused collection built on university curricula, resulting in a
steady decline in browsing collections (Zauha, 1993).
Leisure Reading Habits Among Students
It is important to consider the reading habits and interests of
patrons in order to build a successful leisure reading collection. The
literature on leisure reading habits of students is rather uneven, mainly due
to the varying definitions of leisure reading and what formats constitute
leisure reading. Salter and Brook (2007) suggest that literary reading is in
decline whereas general reading is on the rise. They attribute this rise to
technology and specifically the general reading that is conducted on the
Internet. They conclude that students do read and it is one of the choices they
make for their leisure time, although it is not the predominant choice. The top
choice for leisure time among the students surveyed by Salter and Brook is
watching television or movies. While it would have been helpful for our
purposes to see how available leisure reading materials were to these students,
such as proximity of public libraries or popular collections within their
academic libraries, Salter and Brook’s questionnaire and sound methodology are
valuable resources and can be applied to explaining how academic libraries can
use their resources to meet the recreational demands of their users.
Academic Uses for Leisure Reading Collections
While leisure reading collections are often created for library
patrons’ recreational pursuits, there has been some research on how creating and
exhibiting bestseller collections can promote academic research on past and
current popular culture. Clendenning (2003) specifically addresses the creation
of exhibits to promote and celebrate popular books in an academic environment
for the purpose of academic research. Similarly, Crawford and Harris (2001)
argue that academic libraries should consider establishing bestseller
collections as a resource for future popular culture studies. Like
Crawford and Harris, Van Fleet (2003) underscores the importance of collecting
popular fiction for the sake of popular culture scholars, but also believes
that providing popular fiction collections for leisure reading is necessary on
its own merits.
Collection Policies
Little has been written discussing the presence of leisure reading
collection guidelines in academic library collection policies. Hsieh and Runner
(2005) surveyed 99 academic libraries in the United States and reviewed 30
collection development policies to see which type of library is most likely to
have a policy on leisure reading, if and how patrons influence the collection,
and additional “environmental factors,” including public library access for
students and the percentage of students living on campus. They found that in
total, only 14% of all libraries surveyed have “no-purchase” policies for
leisure reading materials and that most of those with such policies resulted
from either budget constraints or the library’s stance that leisure reading is
not part of the library’s mission. While Hsieh and Runner’s
article did not discuss collection development policies that support leisure
reading purchases, they did state that an increasing number of academic
libraries are beginning to adjust their policies to include leisure reading
material.
Models for Leisure Reading Collections
The success or failure of various leisure reading collection
models and formats such as e-books is also not heavily discussed in the current
literature. One model that many libraries use is a book-leasing plan. Zauha’s
(1998) article comparing Brodart’s McNaughton lease plan and Baker &
Taylor’s Book Leasing Program, the two most popular book-lease plans, is
important for its outline of what libraries need to consider before embarking
on a leased collection project. Zauha also addresses the disadvantages of a
leased popular reading collection, namely that such leasing programs are
susceptible to being cut when budgets are tight.
Similarly, Odess-Harnish (2002) conducted a survey of 22 academic
libraries in the United States who use the McNaughton lease plan for 200-1,000
titles, in addition to or instead of purchasing books. Her study examined why
the lease option was chosen, how successful it had been, and other factors that
may have affected the use of the collection. Overall, Odess-Harnish found that
libraries utilizing leased collections had positive responses; 54% of the
libraries surveyed reported circulation statistics at least as high as
originally expected and 23% reported that the titles circulate more than
expected.
With recent developments in e-book technologies, libraries are
also beginning to consider the use of e-readers for leisure literature
collections. While there is emerging research on e-books and users’ reactions
to e-books in academic environments, such as Rowlands, Nicholas, Jamali, and Huntington (2007), there is very little on e-readers and their application
in libraries in general. In an experiment at Penn State University Libraries,
Sony collaborated with the school to provide 100 e-readers for one academic
school year. Behler (2009) discusses the results of the experiment and the
techniques used to gather feedback on the devices.
Housing
a Leisure Reading Collection
When embarking on creating a popular reading collection, libraries
need to think about not only what type of model they will follow and what type
of materials they will acquire, but where the collection will be located and
how the physical space will appear. Research on design of the physical space of
a leisure reading collection constitutes a gap in the literature. Woodward
(2009), in her book, Creating the Customer-Driven Academic Library, dealing
with the physical space of academic libraries, suggests a location for the
popular reading collection (near the café) and mentions the need to include
books that appeal to undergraduates. She does not specifically discuss the
physical space of a popular reading collection and how to entice
non-undergraduate users.
Leisure
Reading Collection User Studies
Looking back at how successful leisure reading collections have
functioned at other institutions is an excellent way to develop a vision of
future leisure reading collections. Rathe and Blankenship (2006) at the
University of Northern Colorado conducted a survey among users of their year-old
popular reading collection and found that while the popular reading collection
is mostly used for leisure, 11% of respondents noted that they used the
collection for class work as well. Other studies, such as Sanders
(2009), have surveyed both users and library staff. A common theme found in
such studies is that library staff members’ perceptions of their leisure
reading collection often are not supported by user experiences or usage data.
Summary of a Literature Review
In general, there is a large chronological gap in the literature
about leisure reading and leisure reading collections in academic libraries.
There is some discussion of leisure reading collections and the academic
library’s role in promoting reading before 1940, but since academic libraries
transitioned around 1940 to more directly supporting curricula and public
libraries took over the recreational reading role, the literature has declined
sharply. Discussion of popular reading collections in academic libraries has
slowly been increasing in the last 20 years as leisure reading collections have
gained more support, but much work remains to be done in this context (Dewan,
2010).
In
addition to the lack of research on leisure reading collections in academic
libraries, the findings in this area are often contradictory, because “reading” and specifically “leisure reading” are
defined differently in every study. Because of the variety of definitions and
conclusions, existing studies on literacy and leisure reading need to be read
very carefully as a whole.
Overall, the literature is supportive of leisure reading
collections, but ignores opponents of such collections in academic libraries.
The negative aspects that may be involved are barely discussed, especially
regarding changes in workflow, increases in workloads, and allocation of
budgets and resources, all of which are important considerations for any
library. Van Fleet (2003) and Elliott (2007) briefly mention the challenges of
maintaining popular reading collections, but their statements are based on
opinion rather than evidence. Additionally, research based on questionnaires
given out to users of leisure reading collections usually focus on student
patrons, often ignoring faculty, staff, and other users. It is important to
address these users’ needs, especially since both Rathe and Blankenship
(2006) and Odess-Harnish (2002) noted that faculty and staff were
initially the largest group of users for their leisure reading collections.
Looking at who uses leisure reading collections, why they use them, and what
they would like to see done differently are useful questions that have yet to
be addressed in the literature.
Previous studies are narrow in scope, excluding student views and surveying
users only after the leisure reading collection was established. This study
differs in two regards. First, the breadth of those invited to participate –
the inclusion of students, as well as staff, faculty, and community members –
exceeds that of other studies. Secondly, surveying potential users before the
collection is created is an excellent opportunity to see how well users’
perceived needs can be met with such a collection and will provide a baseline
for future assessment. This study, therefore, aims to fill the above gaps in
the literature. Additionally, the lack of generalizable results and
contradictions among local surveys such as Rathe and Blankenship (2006) and
Sanders (2009) reinforces the inability of the literature to predict local needs,
and therefore required us to conduct our own study relevant to the UBC context.
Methods
In the spring and summer of 2010, we worked to assemble the
questions for the leisure reading online questionnaire (see Appendix). The
questions were formulated from information gleaned from the literature review
and derived from our research questions. We used the Vovici EFM Survey Tool to
create an online version of the questionnaire. Quantitative analysis was done
using SPSS and qualitative responses were coded with ATLAS.ti. Three pilot
tests of the questionnaire, consisting of a total of five participants –
representing community members, faculty, and students – were held to determine
the quality and flow of the survey. Additionally, we met with the UBC Library
Collections Advisory and Development Committee to receive library staff input.
Discussing the questionnaire with the pilot participants and library staff was
invaluable for the revision process, resulting in substantial changes to the
wording and order of questions.
Two
different methods for sampling the various user populations were used. The
first included targeting participants based on a random sample. The second
method was advertising the questionnaire for open participation, which allowed
participants not included in the random sample to complete the survey. The 19-question questionnaire was a conditional survey in
that participants who indicated they would not use a leisure reading collection
were asked a final follow-up question, whereas those who indicated they would
or would maybe use a leisure reading collection were asked additional questions
regarding space and format preferences for leisure reading. By eliminating
those who would not use the leisure reading collection, we were able to isolate
the responses pertaining to the collection itself to those users who would use
the collection. The majority of the questions asked were multiple-choice and
covered demographic information, participants’ leisure reading habits and
preferences, and methods used to obtain leisure reading materials. Open-ended
questions were also included for participants to share their opinions and even
note particular authors, titles, and genres they would like to see in a leisure
reading collection.
This study received approval from the University of British
Columbia’s Ethical Review Board. The questionnaire ran for two weeks at the end
of October 2010. An email reminder was sent to all invited participants one
week into the study, with one week remaining.
Sampling
Methods
Invited Sample
An email with a link to the online questionnaire was sent to a
random sample of each of the user groups – UBC undergraduate students, graduate
students, faculty, and library community members (individuals in the vicinity
with UBC Library cards).
Due to UBC Library survey procedures, our sample size was
restricted to a maximum of 1,500 and no individual group could exceed 500.
Working within these parameters, we set sample sizes for each population in
order to achieve enough responses for acceptable confidence levels and
intervals. A base of 500 was set for undergraduates, the largest population on
campus. The other groups were selected in increments of 100 relative to their
campus population (see Table 1). In all, 1,500 email invitations were sent.
Table 1
Sample Size
Chart
|
|
Population size |
Number of survey invitations sent |
Respondents (includes open survey) |
Confidence level |
Confidence interval |
|
Undergrads |
37,781 |
500 |
140 |
95% |
8.27 |
|
Graduates |
9,008 |
400 |
133 |
95% |
8.44 |
|
Faculty |
4,502 |
300 |
56 |
95% |
13.02 |
|
|
|||||
|
Total of known populations |
51,291 |
1,200 |
329 |
95% |
5.39 |
|
|
|||||
|
Community & Other |
Unknown |
300 |
100 |
- |
- |
|
Staff |
Unknown |
Not included in sample |
37 |
- |
- |
Open Sample
Additionally,
the survey was advertised for open participation on both the Library website
“carousel,” a rotating image of library news and events, and in the local University
Neighbourhoods Association community online newsletter. The open participation
survey was a separate but identical survey included to capture responses from
groups like UBC staff and community members that could not be directly
targeted.
Limitations
It is important to note that we realize the survey is somewhat
biased towards support for a leisure reading collection. When presented with an
added service, it is likely that many people will positively respond.
Additionally, the data suggest that those respondents who replied to the open
participation survey – who are likely already library users, considering many
accessed the survey through the library website – were more likely to say that
they would definitely use a leisure reading collection compared to those who
were randomly selected to take the survey (see Figure 1). Where appropriate, we
identify the differences between the two samples in our discussion.
Invited
and open participation survey responses: support for a leisure reading
collection
Results and
Discussion
In
all, 1,500 email invitations were sent and 244 completed responses were
received (16.3% response rate). While this response rate may appear low, it is
consistent with response rates of other surveys conducted by the University
Library, including LibQUAL+® 2010
(University of British Columbia Library, 2010a). The open participation survey,
a separate but identical survey that was included to capture responses from
groups like UBC staff and community members that could not be directly
targeted, resulted in an additional 229 responses, contributing to the
final
total of 473 responses. Due to the similarity of the responses from both the
open and invited groups, we do not feel that the seemingly low response rate has
an effect on the overall results. The respondents
from the open survey did indicate higher amounts of leisure reading than those
who took the invited survey, so it is possible that some people who were
already excited about leisure reading self-selected to participate in the open
call. However, when comparing the open and invited responses, there are no
significant differences between answers to questions pertaining to the
potential Leisure Reading Collection at UBC. All results provided in this
discussion are taken from the total valid responses.
Overall,
there was strong indication that a leisure reading collection would be used:
62% of respondents stated that they would check out books from a leisure
reading collection, 32% said they maybe would check out books from a leisure
reading collection, and 6% indicated they would not use a leisure reading
collection. Respondents who live on campus were 20% more likely to state they
would use a leisure reading collection. Currently, bookstores, public libraries,
and the Internet are the main sources of leisure reading materials (in order
from most responses to least). Only 6% (invited survey 3.2%, open survey 8.6%)
of respondents get most of their leisure reading materials from UBC Library,
presenting an opportunity for UBC Library to increase its circulation and
patron base through fulfilling leisure reading needs.
Demographics
The
demographic breakdown between the open and invited surveys differed somewhat. Graduate
students made up the majority of the invited survey results (34.6%), while
undergraduate students made up the majority of the open survey results (36.3%).
Faculty made up a greater percentage of the invited survey (17.5% vs. 6.2%),
whereas more staff responded to the open survey (15% vs. 0.8%).
More
community members, which included University alumni, responded to the invited
survey than the open survey (20.5% vs. 18.8%).
Members
of the Faculty of Arts comprised the majority of responses, followed by the
Faculty of Science. These are the two largest faculties at UBC. There were 29%
of respondents who do not have a local public library card. Of the total number
of respondents, 25% live on the UBC campus; of these, 41% do not have a public
library card, indicating that while leisure reading may be outside the
traditional academic library’s purview and a public library responsibility, in
the UBC campus context, public library access is limited. Therefore, the
academic library is the primary source for borrowable leisure reading
resources.
Reading Habits
Only
6% (invited survey 8.3%, open survey 3.5%) of the population stated that they
did not read any books for leisure in the three months prior to the questionnaire,
whereas 26% (invited survey 18.3%, open survey 33.6%) of respondents read more
than six books for leisure in the same time period. When asked how many hours
per week respondents read for leisure, only 3% (invited survey 4.6%, open
survey 1.3%) indicated that they did not read for leisure at all and 49%
(invited survey 41.5%, open survey 56%) of respondents read three or more hours
per week. Those who do not read for leisure are in the minority and in fact the
vast majority of respondents read for leisure.
Undergraduate
Students
Since
most of the literature on leisure reading collections in academic libraries has
focused on undergraduates, our undergraduate data can be compared with other
studies. Gallick (1999) found that when undergraduates were in session, only
37% read more than two hours per week for leisure. Our study, with an almost
identical response rate as Gallick’s, actually found that 48% of undergraduates
read two or more hours per week for leisure.
Additionally, our study shows that over 92% of undergraduate students read for
leisure in some form (see Figure 2). Interestingly, while only 10 total
undergraduate students stated that they do not read for leisure, 9 of those
students said that they would maybe or definitely use a leisure reading
collection. This suggests that a leisure reading collection could entice those
undergraduates who currently do not read for leisure to perhaps devote more
time to leisure reading.
Figure
2
Average
hours per week of leisure reading by group (combined sample)
Graduate Students
Our survey indicates that graduate students read for leisure
even more than undergraduates, with 62% reading two or more hours per week.
Even though it is perceived that time inhibits leisure reading, especially for
graduate students, our findings indicate that most graduate students do make
time for leisure reading.
Faculty and Staff
Of all of the user groups, faculty and staff spend the most time
reading for leisure. There were 85% who read two or more hours per week and
none indicated that they do not read for leisure. This would make faculty and
staff prime leisure reading collection users to target based on their leisure
reading habits.
Community
Community members included alumni, UBC Library community
cardholders, and UBC campus residents (non-students). Similar to faculty and
staff, there weren’t any community members who indicated they do not read for
leisure and 76% read two or more hours per week. While 42% of these community
members do not have an active UBC Library card, 96% indicated they would or
would maybe use a leisure reading collection at UBC Library, suggesting that
community members could be an untapped patron base for the academic library.
Genres and Titles
Following Salter and Brook’s (2007) lead, we asked respondents
what genres, titles, and authors they would like to see in a potential leisure
reading collection. These lists are extremely helpful in providing a direction
for selection procedures and making specific selections for a leisure reading
collection. By including user-suggested authors and titles in the leisure
reading collection, we hope to increase the success of the collection and
reveal the Library to be responsive to user requests.
Bestselling fiction, award winners, bestselling non-fiction,
classics, historical fiction, biographies, science fiction, mystery/suspense,
and short stories were the most prominent genre choices for a leisure reading
collection. However, some respondents suggested that the UBC Library could
differentiate its leisure reading collection from public libraries and
bookstores by promoting books of critical acclaim rather than popular appeal.
While there is concern from some about the overlap of a leisure reading
collection at UBC with the collections in the public libraries, this concern
may not be wholly applicable in the UBC context because some individuals in the
University community have no free access to public libraries. Many specified a
desire for the collection to include magazines such as The New Yorker, The
Economist, Vanity Fair, and Reader’s Digest. Respondents also mentioned
preferring paperbacks and making sure there are enough copies of popular books
to reduce wait time. When they were asked what languages would be desired,
English was overwhelmingly the language of choice.
According to our collection analysis, UBC Library owns 81% of the
specific titles and authors mentioned by respondents. Considering
that only 6% of the respondents obtain most of their leisure reading resources
from UBC Library, it is possible that many are simply not aware of the
materials, particularly in regard to leisure reading, at UBC Library. The fact
that leisure reading materials are not merchandized and not easily browsable
means that the patron looking for these materials must know specific titles or
authors, search the catalogue for call numbers, and then locate various titles
on dispersed shelves. This process does not naturally lend itself to leisure
reading needs. The results of our genre, title, and
author analysis suggest that UBC Library could utilize many resources already
owned to meet many of the leisure reading desires of its users by creating a
separate browsable collection.
Format
Print
was overwhelmingly the format of choice for a leisure reading collection, with
97% of respondents indicating a preference for print, and 39% indicating some
interest in an e-reader format. The Kindle, iPad, and iPod Touch were the most
favoured, but overall there was substantial variation on the brand of e-reader
preferred. While providing e-formats for a leisure reading collection might be
something to consider in the future, the lack of consensus on format or device
makes it difficult to pursue.
Look
and Feel
The
two largest and most frequented libraries on campus were the preferred
locations for a leisure reading collection. Most requests about the collection
space itself were for a separate leisure reading area with comfortable couches
and chairs and good lighting. A coffee shop or coffee vending machine is also
highly desirable. Qualitative data regarding access to a leisure reading
collection refer primarily to the need for the collection to be in a central
location that can be easily browsed both physically and online. In addition,
several respondents stated the desire to have leisure reading materials
available electronically because of their distance from or infrequent visits to
campus.
Using
the online catalogue and browsing the physical shelves are the preferred
methods of searching for books in the leisure reading collection, according to
the quantitative data. Some, particularly graduate students, expressed interest
in virtual bookshelves such as LibraryThing or Goodreads. Since our survey did
not define what a virtual bookshelf is, this method for browsing may be
underrepresented.
Overall
Perceptions
Positive
Sentiment
Response
to the survey was strongly positive. Many stated in the additional comments
that a leisure reading collection would be an “excellent idea” or a “great
initiative.” People feel leisure reading is an important activity and find that
UBC Library currently does not satisfy their leisure reading needs. Several
respondents went as far as to suggest ideas for implementing a leisure reading
collection at UBC, including building the collection with donations, having a
shorter loan period, and developing a plan for keeping the collection
sustainable. In addition to providing ideas for building a successful collection,
respondents gave input on programs and techniques to promote the collection:
book clubs, author talks, staff picks, themes, and displays. Many respondents
indicated that a leisure reading collection would be a worthwhile addition to
UBC Library if there was a large selection and the collection was properly
promoted.
Negative Sentiment
Odess-Harnish (2002) found that of the 22 staff, all from
different libraries, who responded to her survey, none believed that they should
be doing more to support or collect popular reading titles. In that study,
library staff reported the following reasons: there are time, budget, and space
constraints; the books are not a part of the curriculum; there is no interest
or demand from the patrons; students do not have time for pleasure reading; and
if they so desire, there is a public library nearby. These claims mirror the
negative sentiments found in our qualitative data among all respondents.
In
our study, even some of the 94% of respondents who stated they would or would
maybe use a leisure reading collection voiced concerns that leisure reading
does not fall under the academic library’s mission, the library does not have
the funding for such a collection, the collection could not be comprehensive
enough to suit the community’s needs, and patrons simply do not have time for
leisure reading. Those who would not use such a collection were not against the
idea of a leisure reading collection, but simply cited
lack of time as their main reason for answering no. This suggests that if a
leisure reading collection were established in a location convenient and
accessible to these individuals, they might find they do have time for leisure
reading.
Implications for Practice: Establishing a Pilot Collection
The results of this study have led to the development of a pilot
leisure reading collection (called Great Reads) at UBC Library. The collection
is populated with the genres most requested in the survey. Using our collection
analysis, which found that the library already owned the majority of titles
requested by respondents, we were successfully able to populate the collection
with books the library already owns. As of spring 2012 the Great Reads
collection has been well received. The success of the collection pilot at the
main library has led to a second collection, and a third Great Reads collection
will be opening in the summer of 2012.
Conclusions
Overall, this study suggests strong leisure reading habits among all
user groups, as well as support for a leisure reading collection at UBC
Library. The data indicates that if provided in an accessible and convenient
form, a leisure reading collection could provide an opportunity for those who
do not read for leisure to do so. Additionally, a UBC Library leisure reading
collection could attract community members, especially those who are not
current UBC Library cardholders. Within the UBC context, this would further the
strategic direction outlined in the Library’s strategic plan to engage with the
community (University of British Columbia, 2010b).
The next step in this project is to conduct a comprehensive
evaluation of the pilot leisure reading collections implemented in response to
this study and assess their success through circulation analysis and user
feedback. Though changes in collection policies may be necessary for the
long-term maintenance of such a collection, the leisure reading pilot currently
underway is using only titles UBC Library already owns, merchandized in a
separate, browsable leisure reading collection space. It is hoped that the
assessment of the pilot can be compared with the results of this study to
provide a before-and-after picture of leisure reading at an academic library.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the UBC
Library for its assistance on this project as well as Rick Kopak and Jo Anne
Newyear-Ramirez for their encouragement and support throughout this process.
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Questionnaire
UBC Library Leisure Reading Study
Tell us what
you want in your library! We invite you to participate in this questionnaire as
we consider the possibility of building a leisure reading collection at UBC.
University of British Columbia Library
Leisure Reading Study
Participant Consent Form
Principal Investigators: Dr. Rick
Kopak, School of Library, Archival & Information Studies at the University
of British Columbia. He can be reached at 604-822-2898.
Co-Investigator(s): Bailey Diers and
Shannon Simpson, School of Library, Archival & Information Studies at the
University of British Columbia and Jo Anne Newyear Ramirez at the University of
British Columbia Library. Bailey or Shannon can be reached at 604-822-2404.
This research is being undertaken to fulfill a course requirement for a
Graduate Degree within the School of Library, Archival & Information
Studies Program. The University of British Columbia Library will be given the
aggregated results of this questionnaire to better enhance library services.
Purpose:
You are being invited to take part in this research study because you are a
member of the University of British Columbia community. The University of
British Columbia Library is considering the possibility of developing a leisure
reading collection. We are investigating the need for a leisure reading
collection and determining what users would like to see in such a collection.
Study Procedures:
If you are at least 19 years of age and agree to participate in this study, you
will have the opportunity to fill out an online questionnaire. This
questionnaire should take no more than 10 minutes; most participants finished
the questionnaire in about 5 minutes.
Potential Risks:
This questionnaire will not pose any risks greater than you would incur with
normal computer use.
Potential Benefits:
By participating in this questionnaire, you may directly benefit by helping
contribute to the University of British Columbia Library collections.
If you would like to receive the results of the study after the completion of
this study, please email delay@interchange.ubc.ca.
Confidentiality:
We do not ask for any identifying information in the questionnaire and there
will be no way to connect you to your questionnaire results. Your email
address, which is not connected to your responses, will only be used to enter
you in the prize drawing and will not be used for any other purposes.
Remuneration/Compensation:
In thanks for taking the time to complete the questionnaire, you will have the
opportunity to win one of four $50.00 gift cards to Chapters Bookstores. Please
be aware that if you exit or close the questionnaire window you will not be
entered in the drawing. If you wish to withdraw from the survey at any time and
still would like to be considered for the prize, you may proceed to the end of
the survey to click submit.
Contact for information about the study:
If you have any questions or desire further information with respect to this
study, you may contact Bailey Diers or Shannon Simpson at
delay@interchange.ubc.ca.
Contact for concerns about the rights of
research subjects:
If you have any concerns about your treatment or rights as a research subject,
you may contact the Research Subject Information Line in the UBC Office of
Research Services at 604-822-8598 or if long distance e-mail to RSIL@ors.ubc.ca
or toll free 1-877-822-8598.
Consent:
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary and you may refuse to
participate or withdraw from the study at any time.
1) Do you consent to participate
in this questionnaire?
c Yes, I consent to the terms above and am at
least 19 years of age.
c No, I do not consent to the terms above or I am
under the age of 19. (By clicking Next Page you will exit the survey)
2) Please select your UBC
status.
c Undergraduate Student
c Graduate Student
c Faculty
c Staff
c Community Member (without active UBC Library
account)
c Community Member (with active UBC Library
account)
c UBC Alumnus (without active UBC Library
account)
c UBC Alumnus (with active UBC Library account)
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
3) Please select your faculty.
c Does not apply
c Applied Science, Faculty of
c Arts, Faculty of
c Business, Sauder School of
c Education, Faculty of
c Forestry/Land and Food Sciences, Faculties of
c Health Sciences
c Law, Faculty of
c Science, Faculty of
c Undecided
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
4)
Do you live on the UBC Campus or UBC Endowment Lands?
c Yes
c No
5) Do you have a public library
card from Vancouver Public Library or any public library in the Lower Mainland?
c Yes
c No
6) Definition of Leisure
Reading: In this survey, leisure reading means fiction or non-fiction books to
be read for the sake of reading, on one’s own accord for pleasure or one’s own
enrichment, and not for work or a class.
How many books (excluding school or work related books) have you read for leisure
in the past 3 months?
c None
c 1-2
c 3-4
c 5-6
c More than 6
7) On average, how many hours do
you spend reading for leisure each week?
c I don’t read for leisure
c Less than 1
c Between 1-2
c Between 2-3
c Between 3-6
c More than 6
8) If UBC Libraries had a
leisure reading collection would you check out books from this collection?
c Yes [Respondent will skip question #9]
c Maybe [Respondent will skip question #9]
c No [Respondent will be sent to question #9]
9) Since you selected no, is there
anything that would make a potential leisure reading collection appeal to you?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10)
Where do you get most of your leisure reading material?
c UBC Library
c Vancouver Public Library
c Other public library
c Bookstores
c Online
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
11) On average, how many of your
leisure reading books do you get from UBC Libraries?
c None
c Some
c Most
c All
12) What library on campus would
you prefer to use for browsing and checking out leisure reading books? (Select
all that apply)
c Asian Library
c David Lam Library
c Education Library
c Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
c Koerner Library
c Law Library
c Music Library
c Woodward Library
c Xwi7xwa Library
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
13) How would you prefer to search for
books within a leisure reading collection? (Select all that apply)
c Online UBC Library Catalogue
c Virtual Bookshelf (i.e. LibraryThing,
Goodreads)
c Browse the physical shelves of the collection
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
14) Which genres from a potential
UBC Library Leisure Reading Collection would you be interested in reading?
(Select all that apply)
c Award Winners
c Bestselling Fiction
c Bestselling Non-fiction
c Biographies
c Children’s
c Classics
c Comic Books or Graphic Novels
c Fantasy
c Historical Fiction
c How-to
c Mystery/Suspense
c Poetry
c Romance
c Science Fiction
c Self-improvement
c Short Stories
c Young Adult
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
15)
Which languages in a potential UBC Leisure Reading Collection would you
be interested in reading? (Select all that apply)
c Chinese
c English
c French
c Japanese
c Korean
c Persian
c Punjabi
c Spanish
c Tagalog
c Vietnamese
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
________________________________________________
16)
What format of leisure reading would you prefer? (Select all that apply)
c Printed books
c E-books on a computer
c E-books on your personal e-reader
c E-books on an e-reader that you check out from
the library
c Audiobooks
17) If you selected e-readers as
your response in the previous question, what brand of reader do you use or
would you prefer to use?
c iPad
c iPod Touch
c Kindle
c Nook
c Sony E-Reader
c None
c Other (please specify)
If you selected other, please specify
______________________________________________________________________
18)
Please recommend any authors or types of books that you would like to
see in a potential leisure reading collection:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19) Please
let us know of anything else you think we should consider in providing a
leisure reading collection at UBC.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for participating in this
questionnaire. We appreciate your feedback. You will be entered into a randomly
selected drawing for a chance to win a gift certificate to Chapters bookstores.
If you have any comments or questions regarding this questionnaire, please
contact Shannon Simpson.