APPENDIX
A NOTE ON METHOD

Tuis rRePoRT represents a chart of the research develop-
ment with reference to library use. It includes all empirical in-
vestigations dealing with the distribution of actual book reading
in the United States, the use of the circulation, reference, and
other services of the public library, and the comparative use of
similar agencies in the community from about 1930 to 1947.
Within this scope, the goal was complete coverage of the avail-
able material.

The search of the literature began with a bibliography includ-
ing most of the major studies in the field. This list was expanded
by inclusion of the usual bibliographical tools and the following
specialized titles:

William S. Gray, “Summary of Reading Investigations,” Elemen-
tary School Journal, Vols. XXVI-XXXII (1926-32), and the
Journal of Educational Research, XXVII (1933), 564-92.

“Graduate Theses Accepted by Library Schools in the United
States,” Library Quarterly, Vols. 111, IV, VI, IX, XVII (1933,
1934, 1936, 1939, 1947).

Bruce Lannes Smith, Harold D. Lasswell, and Ralph D. Casey,
Propaganda, Communication, and Public Opinion, Princeton,
Princeton University Press, 1946; and supplements in the Pub-
lic Opinion Quarterly after 1943.

Library Literature, 1930 to date.

Education Index, July, 1938, to date.

Every title of possible relevance found in these sources was ex-
amined and, if appropriate, abstracted. In all, about two hundred
titles were studied; all relevant items appear in the Bibliography.

In addition, a few special sources were used to fill in the reports
at several points. (1) A brief information form requesting data