by Sharon L. Baker
RQ, Vol. 27, #3, Spring 1988, pp. 366-376.
Hypothesis 4 accepted: "Classifying fiction will increase the number of difference books that circulate because patrons will be exposed to less popular authors within a particular genre."
Experiment supporting hypothesis 4
Location:
- Denton Public Library: 2,500 volumes
- Thomasville Public Library: 6,000 volumes
- Lexington Public Library: 15,500 volumes
- Experimental group 1: 100 romances shelved separately and marked with "romance" spine labels at Denton and Thomasville Libraries
- Experimental group 2: 150 mysteries shelved separately and marked with "mystery" spine labels at Lexington Library
- Experimental group 3: 150 romances marked with "romance" spine labels at Lexington Library. These 150 romances were on the regular shelves.
- Control group: fiction located on regular shelves in all three libraries
- Pre-test period: January 1986 to March 1986, circulation measured for all groups while on regular shelves.
- Test period: April 1986 to June 1986, circulation measured for all groups in experimental condition and control group on regular shelves.
Genre shelving and labels had no effect on the percentage of titles circulating in Denton's 2,500 volume library. In the two larger libraries, however, genre shelving and labels dramatically increased the percentage of titles circulating. In the 6,000 volume library, almost 90% of the titles circulated.
