Readability of Selected Academic Library Guides.
Lorna M. Peterson, Jamie Coniglio · 1987
Selected library user guides from seven large academic li braries were examined for their readability. Analysis was done by microcomputer using the Readability Program by Micro Power & Light. Results indicate that the library guides are written at or above a reading level of grade 12. Because most readability formulas determine reading dif ficulty by measuring sentence length and/or word length, poor editing and the use of jargon contribute to unneces sary complexity; thus, effectiveness of library guides is minimized by excessive verbiage. Readability tests can in dicate if the writing in a particular document is making reading comprehension a more difficult task for the in tended audience.