Does the gravity model hold at micro-distances? Investigation into University of Oxford students' library choices

The aim of this study is to estimate the relationship between distance and demand for library services. Data on University of Oxford student entries into Bodleian libraries is used. The dataset allows to locate both living and... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of this study is to estimate the relationship between distance and demand for library services. Data on University of Oxford student entries into Bodleian libraries is used. The dataset allows to locate both living and consumption points of students and to investigate economic activity at a detailed level. This study offers three main contributions. Firstly, by estimating the distance effect using a gravity model, this study pushes the research frontier on economic gravity relationships at small scale. Secondly, the findings provide estimates of local consumer demand that can be used in further research and by local businesses. Thirdly, patterns in students' library use are described. The main results suggest a -0.29 distance elasticity of student flows into libraries and an exponential decline in the relationship between distance and student entries.