Technical Systems and Innovations in Public Libraries / Malcolm Getz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Getz, Malcolm.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w0347.

NBER working paper series no. w0347

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economics.

Public libraries.

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 1979.

Cambridge, Massachusetts : National Bureau of Economic Research, 1979.

Summary:

The extent of use of twenty innovations in the operation of public libraries is examined in 31 large public library systems across the country. The innovations include the use of computers in ordering, cataloging, and circulating materials. The pattern of diffusion of the innovations across the systems is explored using contingency tables and discriminant analysis. All the large library systems seem to participate in early adoption of some innovations; none seem to be pace-setters for all innovations. The extent of diffusion of some innovations may be reduced by the development of successive innovations that replace them. Only some of the innovations seem to be climax technologies that are likely to persist for longer periods of time.

Notes:

Print version record

May 1979.