The Effects of Increased Internet Use on the Circulation of Public Library Materials

"Circ's Up, Budgets Leap." Library Journal (1976) 132.3 (2007): 38-40. Library Literature and
Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed the many reasons why circulation of library materials has gone up in
recent years. These reasons are largely involving the Internet, which makes it easier for patrons to reserve materials, find out that they have books in or overdue, find out about library events, and even experience reader’s advisory. Other reasons include libraries purchasing more fiction titles, which are more often checked out than nonfiction materials.


Murdock, James. "Circulation Boost ; by Providing Attractive, Wifi-Ready Spaces Where People
Want to Gather and Linger, Public Libraries are Holding their Own in the Age of the Internet." Architectural Record February 1 2008: 141. LexisNexis Academic. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 .
This article discusses the fact that though at first the Internet seemed that it would hurt
libraries, it is actually doing the opposite. Libraries are now surviving because people come in to
use the Internet, as well as because of the fact that they are usable as “community centers” and
have trained librarians who can help patrons better than the Internet can at times.

Rodger, Eleanor Jo, George D'Elia, and Corinne Lyon Jorgensen. "The Public Library and the
Internet: Is Peaceful Coexistence Possible?" American Libraries 32.5 (2001): 58-61. Library Literature and Information Science Full Text. H.W. Wilson Web. University of Wisconsin-Madison Lib., Madison, WI. 15 Oct. 2008 <>.
This article discussed a survey done on the impacts of Internet use on public library use. The results of the survey seemed to show that Internet use isn’t really affecting how many people use their public libraries and how often they do. The authors also discussed the future of the public library and argued that the library and the Internet will continue to exist, but that the role of the library will undergo a dramatic change in order to stay relevant.