The purpose of this paper is to summarize a library use study of the central and community branches of a Canadian public library. An exit survey documented the in-branch activities of users as a part of a library strategic planning process. Survey results were used in combination with branch statistics, postal code circulation statistics, neighbourhood demographics and other data sources to document the in-library use of the two facilities.,Questionnaires were administered to library users 15 years of age or older at the exits of the central and community branches. The survey collected data on their activities and services used during their current visit. Additional sources such as branch-level statistics, furniture tally sheets, photographs, Canada Census data and circulation analysis by patron postal code and lending branch were used during the analysis stage.,Both branches are heavily used but in different ways. Branch circulation and gate count per square foot of floor space were high relative to other Canadian libraries. Patron visits to the community branch were short in duration, in line with previous public library studies. User visit duration and in-library activities within the main branch somewhat resembled those of the central branch of a larger library system but likely for different reasons.,The study was exploratory. Data were collected during two coinciding days of library operation, a Thursday and a Saturday, and may not be representative of the underlying population. The study was limited in scope as it was a community service project for undergraduate university students.,Branch library use surveys, in combination with library statistics and demographics, can provide useful insights concerning in-library patron behaviour when the use of ethnographic techniques is not feasible.,The study explored differences and similarities in user behaviour in two types of library facilities, a central and a community branch. Few published studies make such a direct comparison. The study explored the perceived benefits received by patrons from public library use and incorporated branch statistics, circulation analysis and Census data.

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大小重要吗？两个加拿大公共图书馆分馆的馆内研究

本文的目的是总结对加拿大公共图书馆中央和社区分支机构的图书馆使用研究。作为图书馆战略规划过程的一部分，退出调查记录了用户在分支机构的活动。调查结果结合分行统计、邮政编码流通统计、邻里人口统计等数据来源，记录了这两种设施在图书馆内的使用情况。在图书馆出口处对 15 岁或 15 岁以上的图书馆用户进行问卷调查。中央和社区分支机构。该调查收集了有关他们在当前访问期间使用的活动和服务的数据。其他来源，例如分支机构级别的统计数据、家具统计表、照片、在分析阶段使用了加拿大人口普查数据和客户邮政编码和贷款分行的流通分析。这两个分行都被大量使用，但方式不同。与其他加拿大图书馆相比，每平方英尺建筑面积的分行流通量和门数都很高。与以前的公共图书馆研究一致，赞助人访问社区分部的时间很短。主分馆内的用户访问持续时间和图书馆内活动有点类似于大型图书馆系统的中央分馆，但可能出于不同的原因。这项研究是探索性的。数据是在图书馆运营的两个重合日（周四和周六）收集的，可能不能代表潜在人群。该研究的范围有限，因为它是一个面向本科大学生的社区服务项目。分馆图书馆使用调查结合图书馆统计数据和人口统计数据，可以在不使用民族志技术的情况下提供有关图书馆内顾客行为的有用见解。可行。,该研究探讨了两种类型的图书馆设施（中央和社区分支机构）用户行为的差异和相似之处。很少有已发表的研究做出如此直接的比较。该研究探讨了顾客从公共图书馆使用中获得的感知利益，并结合了分支机构统计、流通分析和人口普查数据。当人种学技术的使用不可行时，可以提供有关图书馆内顾客行为的有用见解。本研究探讨了两种类型图书馆设施（中央和社区分支机构）用户行为的差异和相似之处。很少有已发表的研究做出如此直接的比较。该研究探讨了顾客从公共图书馆使用中获得的感知利益，并结合了分支机构统计、流通分析和人口普查数据。当人种学技术的使用不可行时，可以提供有关图书馆内顾客行为的有用见解。本研究探讨了两种类型图书馆设施（中央和社区分支机构）用户行为的差异和相似之处。很少有已发表的研究做出如此直接的比较。该研究探讨了顾客从公共图书馆使用中获得的感知利益，并结合了分支机构统计、流通分析和人口普查数据。