TEXTO: Understanding University Library Users' Mistreatment of Books

Carmen Pérez, Manuel Cuadrado and Amparo Cervera

University of Valencia, Spain

Available online 20 February 2009.

Abstract

This paper analyses university library users' attitudes towards book vandalism in order to develop a basis for intervention. Using a customer oriented approach data was collected from users who attended an academic library exhibition on vandalized books at a University campus. Respondants were asked both for their reactions to the vandalism as well as to suggest measures to solve this problem. Punishment and surveillance were most frequently mentioned as preventative measures although users also recognized the utility of the exhibition in increasing awareness of book mutilation. Further implications of social marketing for libraries are also discussed.

Article Outline

Introduction

Book Mistreatment

Empirical Research. Objectives and Methodology

Results

User's Opinions on Book Mutilation

User's Features

User's Solution to Prevent Book Mutilation

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Appendix A. Supplementary data

References

Supplementary material.

Table 1.

Measures Taken to Prevent Library Book Mutilation

Source: Burrows and Cooper (1992).

Table 2.

Sample Features (n = 230)

Table 3.

Results Related Mistreated Books

Table 4.

Mistreatment According to Gender and Chi-Squared Test

Table 5.

Mistreatment According to Studies

Table 6.

Opinions About Mistreated Books According to Occupation

Table 7.

Proposed Solutions for Preventing Book Mistreatment

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