Availability
Some
research is aiming
at increasing the availability of books and other documents in
libraries. This may be done on a statistical basis by optimizing due periods,
buying extra copies, delivering of photocopies etc.
A distinction may be made between
availability in an absolute sense on the one
hand and de facto availability on the other hand.
Availability
in the absolute sense is ensured by, for example, archives, libraries with
archival functions and national libraries. Such institutions make sure that each
document kept is available at least one place in the world in future.
De
facto availability means that documents and information are available when
needed by the users, for example, when needed in educational programs.
Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) is a goal and a program in the library sector to provide access to publications of all kinds from all countries.
Gerstberger & Allen (1968) is a classical study showing that availability is considered more important than the expected quality of an information source in information use.
Literature:
Buckland, M. K. (1975). Book Availability and the Library User. New York: Pergamon.
Gerstberger, P. G. & Allen, T. J. (1968). Criteria used by
research and development engineers in the selection of an information source.
Journal of Applied Psychology, 52, 272-279.
Hjørland, B. (1992). Bestandssammensætning og evaluering. Supplerende kompendium. København: Danmarks Biblioteksskole.
Pors, N. O.
(1990). Døde bøger og tomme hylder. Om evaluering og styring af bibliotekets
materialebestand. Valby: Danmarks Biblioteksforenings forlag.
Schrader, A. M.
(1992). A system theory of access. IN: Conceptions of Library and
Information Science. Historical, empirical and theoretical perspectives. Ed. by
Pertti Vakkari & Blaise Cronin. London: Taylor Graham. (Pp. 187-200).
Universitetsbibliotekets 2. afdeling, Projektgruppen for Publikumsafdelingen:
Afsluttende rapport. København: Universitetsbibliotekets 2. afdeling, 1975. [Anm. af Finn Hjortgaard Christensen i Bogens
Verden, 1976, no. 3].
See also: Access;
Coverage;
Logistics;
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 22-09-2008