Affluence and public library use: the DoE Index of Local Conditions and library use in London and the metropolitan districts of England

Abstract

Presents the results of a study into the relationship between affluence of an area and the use made of the public library services, concentrating on London boroughs and English metropolitan districts. Uses the Department of Environment Index of Local Conditions and library data to calculate correlation coefficients and regression analyses. Finds that certain variables of library data, e.g. book issues per capita, can be correlated with the affluence of the area and, therefore, could be used to create an index for assessing whether a library service is performing above or below expectation for a particular area. Suggests areas of future research.

Citation

Creaser, C. and Sumsion, J. (1995), "Affluence and public library use: the DoE Index of Local Conditions and library use in London and the metropolitan districts of England", Library Management, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435129510091793