Abstract:
To study the use of rare books in libraries in Bangkok and the vicinity concerning objectives, frequency, access, language, categories, format and content of the rare books as well as their problems. The result of the research reveals that the purpose of most of the users in using rare book are to serve their interest, to research, to study and to support article and text book writing respectively. The largest group of users use rare book 2-3 times per year. Most of them access to rare book by using library's search tools, consulting librarians and library's staffs, their library experience and library handbook accordingly. Most of the users use both Thai and English limited edition and first edition rare books. Concerning format of the book they use rare book in original copy, xerox copy and microfilm accordingly. In content, most of the users use rare book in various fields but the largest number among them use the social science on culture and tradition. Other content used by most of the users are the miscellaneous on memorial book and geography/historical on Thai history respectively. The problem in using rare books are the shortage of title index at a medium level