Middle school library catalog access: A comparison between electronic and manual catalog systems.

摘要

This study compares the use of a computerized library catalog system in a middle school with the use of a card file catalog system. The study analyzed 734 survey responses from students in English classes at a middle school which emphasizes language and technology and at which the computer catalog system is in its first year of operation. The study examines the dependent variables of average time spent per instance of catalog search, the student's self-described level of satisfaction with the search, and the frequency with which books were checked out following the search. The independent variable was type of catalog searched (card file catalog, library terminal of computer catalog, and classroom terminal of computer catalog) with controlling variables of grade (sixth, seventh, and eighth), academic level (standard and accelerated), and region of student's origination (local to the district and applicant from outside the district). An alpha level of.05 was used for all statistical tests.Using an ANOVA, no difference in average search time was found across catalog types, although sixth grade students searched longer than seventh or eighth grade students (p A chi square analysis found no correlation in user perceived satisfaction across catalog types. Sixth graders were less satisfied with library terminal searches (p A chi square analysis found that classroom computer searches did correlate with fewer instances of books being checked out (p The study concludes with recommendations for follow up action and further study.