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This article outlines a study assessing and comparing the rate of use of nonreference print and electronic book collections acquired during the same time period at one academic library. Rate of use was examined for both collections by discipline and method of acquisition. The author found that 74 percent of print titles acquired in 2008–2009 had been used within their first six years in the collection, and that 27 percent of print books acquired between 2008 and 2014 had been used between July 2013 and November 2014. By contrast, only 12 percent of the e-books acquired between 2008 and 2014 were used during the same 17-month period. The author examines how different print and electronic collection development models might affect monograph use in academic libraries within the context of previously published research.

In the fall of 2011, librarians at Bowling Green State University were given the opportunity to compete for a $100 Amazon.com gift card by promoting an underused database. Usage statistics were tracked throughout the semester and compared to those for the same time period from the previous year. Eight of the twelve databases promoted rose in use. This article discusses the project methodology and uses its outcomes to assess the effectiveness of a range of marketing techniques for electronic resources, present hypotheses to account for some declines in usage, and demonstrate the value of distributed, personalized promotion for library resources.

In early 2010, library staff at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio designed and conducted a usability study of key parts of the library website, focusing on the web pages generated by the library’s electronic resources management system (ERM) that list and describe the library’s databases. The goal was to discover how users find and choose e-resources and identify ways the library could improve access to e-resources through its web site. This article outlines the usability study conducted at BGSU, presents its conclusions about how students at BGSU find and choose databases, contextualizes these findings with other current research about user behavior, and makes recommendations for increasing student use of library e-resources.

This case study explores use patterns of an academic library following the addition of several non-library units. Of specific interest were the initial destinations of patrons, the number of destinations visited, and the primary purpose for coming to the library. We observed all destinations of patrons as they entered the building and administered an exit survey to gain additional insight into patrons' use of the library, including all first floor destinations visited and their primary purpose for visiting the library. We used selected statistics to further explore library use. Findings indicate that non-library units are a popular destination for library patrons but do not eclipse the overall use of library units; that the majority of patrons only visit one destination per trip to the library; and that the primary purposes for which patrons come to the library are studying and the use of library materials.

This report will discuss the findings and recommendations of a study of the changing teaching needs of undergraduate business faculty at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). This local project was conducted by BGSU librarians in the 2018-19 academic year as part of a national study coordinated by Ithaka S+R in conjunction with other institutional-level studies throughout the country. Ithaka S+R, a not-for-profit research and consulting organization that works with academic communities, will produce an overarching report on supporting the changing practices of undergraduate teaching in the field of business.