What is information overload?
Information overload is the presentation of more information than a person can, or is willing, to absorb and process in the time available for making a decision. In libraries, patrons may face information overload when trying to select books from library shelves. Sharon L. Baker’s research suggests problems with information overload begin to appear in fiction collections larger than 4,700 books. (The Responsive Public Library, 2nd edition, 2002, p. 241)
Shelving:
- Shelf "fullness"
- Past experiments
- Proposed experiments
- Experiment 3: What amount of shelf "fullness" circulates the most books?
Displays:
- Past experiments:
- Fiction vs. Non-fiction displays
- Use by men vs. women
- Use by students vs. non-students
- Large vs. small displays
- Proposed experiments:
- Experiment 1: What size of display circulates the most books in a week?
- Experiment 2: Do props effect selection from displays?
Booklists
Genre shelving
Spine labels