The results of the questionnaire did not uncover any institution currently tracking the use of items after digitization. The results did strongly suggest, however, that the perception of an increase in the use of certain physical objects after digitization is fairly common. Nearly all respondents felt that digitization had increased the use of some items. Only the conservators surveyed were unable to comment on whether digital collections had increased use of the original item. The most commonly cited evidence as an increase in use was the evidentiary physical wear and tear on the items and more visitors coming in to reading rooms. When questioned about the reason for the change, the most common idea expressed was the use of the digital collection by researchers as a catalogue to search for items worthy of further examination.

It should be noted that this research was conducted as a pilot study and relied on peoples’ impressions for the data. The survey questions were open ended so that respondents were allowed to answer with as much or as little detail as they felt was needed. The questionnaires were then examined for overall themes and consistencies to see to what extent, if any, respondents had noticed a relationship between the digitization of physical items and changes in use patterns.