Book Usage Data Scan

Abstract

This document provides some preliminary data on national trends in reading of books, purchase of books, and book publishing. It also provides data on monographic stacks circulation charges for Olin and Engineering. Recent national data shows a decline in book reading, especially among high school and college students, and other young adults. Book purchase revenue is either flat or increasing slightly, but this appears to be the result of inflation, since the actual number of titles purchased has declined. Olin and Engineering monographic circulation data (every other year, from 2001/2002 to 2007/2008) show that faculty charges have generally increased, while student charges have generally dropped. Overall circulation has also decreased.