Ask Chas: What's the most used library book and movie?
Note: We have a bulletin board outside the first-floor map room where people can leave their questions or comments and Chas, the statue of Charles Leaming Tutt that stands outside the library, responds. Chas was wondering why he couldn't post his answers to the internets, and we thought we'd go ahead and help him out. Here' s the most recent question and answer for "Ask Chas."
Question: What's the most used library book? And movie?
Chas answers: A fascinating question. I asked the librarians to go through every book in the library and check the number of due dates stamped in the back, but they told me that’s not how it works anymore. They ran a little report instead.
This isn’t very scientific. If a book or video is lost and replaced, it’s likely that the checkout counter would get reset to zero. But it’s close enough for now.
In the top five we have two titles that are really multiple copies of the same out-of-print book that faculty ask us to keep on permanent reserve so they can use as textbooks (A History of Argentine Political Thought, and Introduction to Modern Behaviorism), the binder of Venture Grant Applications (now available as PDFs on the library web site) and two classic movies that make an odd couple: Schindler’s List just edges out Monty Python and the Holy Grail for the most checked-out movie.
And then it’s lots of movies. Lots and lots of movies. And then a 24-volume set of Freud, then lots more movies. Finally, with 108 checkouts, we get to the first appearance of a book that’s not a textbook or multi-volume set. You may not be surprised to learn that Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire is Tutt Library’s most used library book.
In cooperation with the Career Center, Tutt Library houses a Careers and Graduate School information area. It's located right behind the reference desk. It includes the most current guides for:
For your reading and relaxation pleasure, Tutt Library now has a Magazine Lounge in the 2nd floor atrium area. Here we have gathered dozens of popular magazine titles, from the New Yorker to People, from Maxim to Essence. There is also an assortment of local zines. We surveyed students and asked what popular magazines you would like to see at the library, and ordered several new titles, including Outside, Cosmopolitan, Martha Stewart Living, and Vibe. There are comfy chairs to lounge on as you take a quick study break. Watch for a grand opening celebration soon!
