Knowlton, S. A., & Hackert, L. N. (2015). Value added: Book covers provide additional impetus for academic library patrons to check out books. Library Resources & Technical Services, 59(3), 112-119.
Hooper, Pamela
Summary: This article summarizes a study conducted at an academic library on the value of leaving the dust jacket on books shelved within the library. The authors argue that the information that publishers provide on the book cover is of a different nature to information contained within a catalog entry and therefore greatly assist patrons in identifying useful books. The library in which the study was based contained six different kinds of binding and each was utilized in the study. 1,319 books were studied and were from select LCC classes and subclasses and all were nonfiction. The study concludes that books with dust jackets circulate on average once every two years versus books with no dust jackets circulating once every three years. They conclude that the extra circulation and improved customer experience makes up for the lost room on the shelves.
Evaluation: This was an interesting study. I found it to be somewhat superficial in the methodology, and more research on this topic is certainly warranted, but it should also not surprise anyone. Publishers go to great lengths to entice readers/buyers. By modifying the presentation, we remove the enticement for patrons, especially browsers.
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