Abstract
This note provides evidence on inattention in an information commons. Employing a large dataset compiling daily transactions in libraries, we compare a specific compliance behavior of library users over weekdays. If inattention affects rule compliance, then one would plausibly expect greater return delays in periods of potentially higher inattention, such as the day before weekends, holidays, and exam weeks. We found robust evidence of a day of the week effect: inattention, as approximately measured by delays in returning checked out books, is consistently higher on Fridays. Meanwhile, there is no evidence of such an inattentive behavior in dates near holidays, or exam weeks.
Keywords
behavioral economics; inattention; information commons; reminders