Public libraries and Adult Fiction: Another Look at a Core List of “Classics”

Abstract

In this study, we examined the extent of change over a one-year period in the adult fiction titles must widely held by over 4,000 OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. member public libraries in order to clarify the degree of stability of a consensus list of most-held adult fiction. The study is part of a continuing research effort to contribute to the understanding of the nature of adult fiction collections in public libraries and to develop useful models to assist librarians in evaluating their adult fiction collections. Findings indicate that the most widely held adult fiction titles are recent, popular works that form a stable core from one year to the next; results also suggest that such a listing of widely held titles might be suitable as an evaluation tool in smaller public libraries. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made for further research.