Out of reach: The effect of shelf height on book checkouts.

As the role of print collections in academic libraries moves from monograph storage to a method for engaging users, the browsability and accessibility of print collections are becoming increasingly important. One factor that affects the ability to comfortably browse collections is the height at which the books are stored. This paper examines the relationship between the shelf level on which books are shelved and their circulation rates. Results indicate that books stored on the top level tended to circulate less than books stored on lower levels, but the effect may vary based on the subject area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]