Article to Read-->Catching Leopards in the Library; or,Of Panthers and Posterity

Catching Leopards in the Library; or, Of Panthers and Posterity 

Purpose - This study addresses the problem of estimating usage of cultural heritage material that has been retained for posterity. In the whole collection of books, how many are ‘alive’, that is, in use?
Findings - By using this method an effective model of use over long periods can be created, whichhas demonstrated that ultimately only 27.5% of the collections will ever be consulted, the rest is being kept, essentially, ‘for posterity’. 
Practical implications - The method has been put to use in the University of Oxford as an element in the apportionment of costs in what is known as the ‘123-model’, a system more equitable to the academic divisions. The University now adopts a more nuanced approach which ensures that the cost of maintaining the proportion of the collections which is being kept ‘for posterity’ is borne centrally by the University.Originality/value - Most studies of collection usage concentrate on the very real problems and issues surrounding the active circulation of current stock.There are no direct studies of rare and old material, whose value lies precisely in the fact that it has survived the centuries which this study now addresses."

(reposted from journal site)