Availability, accessibility and demand for recommended books in academic libraries

Reports results of a study, undertaken at Cardiff University, of the effect of loan periods on the utilization of short loan books and corroborates th ese with results of an availability survey. Compares the results with those from a similar survey conducted at Sussex University (Journal of Documenta tion, 52 (2) Jun 1996, 139-162). Discusses the implications of the results for the conduct of availability surveys and the management of recommended r eading collections and notes the potential advantages of electronic provisi on of short loan materials. Concludes that, if recommended reading resource s are to be fully utilized, librarians must ensure not only the ready avail ability of the material but also the convenience with which it can be used.