Public library user behavior in Tokyo

The aim of the present study is to categorize the behavior of adult clientele of public libraries. The following hypothetical model was used; the public library user behavior is a function of user demands, the demands are functions of user needs, and the needs are functions of individual characteristics and attitudes. The user behavior was measured, by the following five factors; arrival time and leaving time from the library, staying period, and types and subjects of the materials used by them. A user survey was carried out at four public libraries in Tokyo Metropolitan District in June, 1980. The data collected from the survey were analyzed by means of the cross tabulation and Hayashi's Quantification Scaling Type 3. From the results of the survey, users are divided in two groups: (1) Group 1 users, characterized by the heavier use of circulations, occupy about 36% of the total users. They arrive at and leave from the library at any time of the day, and their staying periods are very short. They borrow mainly books, and have interest in housekeeping, fiction, history, etc. (2) Most of Group 2 users arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon or evening. Their staying periods are relatively long. Group 2 users can be subdivided into the following 3 groups: the purpose of the first user sub-group is to research or study, the second is to browse newspapers and/or magazines, and the third uses nothing. The first subgroup is the largest in size, occupying about 30% of total users, and uses mainly books for their research. The second occupies almost 10% of total users, and the third only 4%.