Did COVID-19 Change Patron Format Preferences?: A Multi-year Study of Patron Format Preferences at Two Universities

Abstract This article will compare results from two surveys sent to the university libraries at Valdosta State University and Florida State University. The initial survey in 2016, asked patrons to describe their format preferences when looking for library materials and indicate if their format preferences changed when looking for pleasure reading or academic research. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced people out of physical libraries and onto online libraries visited from home, two of the authors wondered how this would change a patron’s preference regarding electronic formats, leading to a second survey in 2022. The conclusion gives insight on how this information should impact collection development policies in the future.