Evaluating the impact of the public library book collection: a case study of two public libraries in Cape Town

This paper reports the preliminary findings of an investigation into the impact on a sample group of 100 respondents of using the book collection in two public libraries in Cape Town. It is particularly concerned with the benefits of leisure reading as measured through an impact study using a questionnaire based on generic learning outcomes as proposed by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council of the United Kingdom. These outcomes cover the following domains: knowledge and understanding; skills; attitudes or values; enjoyment, inspiration and creativity; activity, behaviour or progression. The findings are presented and discussed and the conclusion is drawn that a range of benefits were experienced and reported in overwhelming numbers by the participants in the study.