Pros and cons of providing an open shelf high demand collection : a study of student priorities and experiences in Auckland University Library's "open" short loan collection

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to ascertain whether students believe that they are provided with a quality service from Auckland University's Short Loan Collection (SLC), and if they have benefited from decision to move the books onto open shelves. The most dramatic change in the way students use the SLC is their ability to use it independently. This research project is designed to determine if students are taking advantage of this change or if the shift to open shelves has created problems for them.