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New Mexico State University
Looking through the keyhole:
How users think about and use
library space
Access Services Conference 2009
reinventing the library
• academic libraries - past
New Mexico State University
reinventing the library
• academic libraries - present
New Mexico State University
reinventing the library
• academic libraries - future
New Mexico State University
our location
New Mexico State University
project settings:
branson & zuhl libraries
New Mexico State University
directives:
1. relocate low-use collections
2. shelving expansion
3. create new user spaces
4. with limited funds $
5. short timeframe
New Mexico State University
―space team‖
New Mexico State University
doing it right?!
New Mexico State University
•finding the RIGHT balance
•asking the RIGHT questions
•engaging the RIGHT players
new information service desk @ branson
what we learned from others
• desired features
• pre- and post-project usage statistics
• assessment strategies
• from our own users …
New Mexico State University
questions and methods
questions
• how do people use our current public spaces?
• what seems to work? what doesn’t?
• what would users like to see in an ideal library space?
methods
observation / photos
use over time
commentary
surveys / comments
surveys
flipcharts
New Mexico State University
triangulated study
flip chart feedback
surveys of building usersphoto surveys
observational/photo research
we used photos to:
– gather data on use of the same spaces over
time (9am/1pm/4pm/7pm/10pm)
– capture images that told a story about space
and space use (good/bad/ugly)
New Mexico State University
zuhl 2nd @ 9am/4pm/10pm
New Mexico State University
commentary / pictures that tell a story
―I’m not sure if we
get funding for
having these in
our library, but do
we really need six
of them?‖
New Mexico State University
commentary / pictures that illustrate a themeMORE COMPUTERS Perhaps along with more computers, we could give the students a little more room to work?
building use surveys
we used surveys to:
• learn about our building users (imperfect)
• gain consistent quantifiable data through
fixed questions/answers
• gain richer qualitative data through open-
ended questions/answers
New Mexico State University
analyzing building use surveys
• print/electronic options
• quantitative data
analyzed with
SurveyMonkey
• text comments
analyzed, categorized
for themes
New Mexico State University
flip chart feedback
we used flip charts to:
• offer a visible, social
feedback tool
• gather rich (textual)
data on our spaces
• used in initial study
and in follow-up to
―close the loop‖
New Mexico State University
analyzing flip chart feedback
• standardized
common concepts
(e.g., noise, noisy,
loud, deafening)
• used text cloud
generator to show
results
New Mexico State University
putting the pieces together
photo research
• themes that correlate with surveys/flipcharts
• data that shows use patterns over time
user surveys
• ―…what’s wrong with Zoo library…people who snack and gab on their phones‖
• ―Branson…looks like a prison‖
flip chart feedback
• Zuhl – ―it’s too noisy to think here!‖
• Branson – ―more comfy furniture‖
New Mexico State University
students want
• quiet/individual v. group spaces
• more computers, but also more support for
laptops (outlets, wifi)
• color, comfy and inviting spaces critical
New Mexico State University
zuhl library (the zoo)
New Mexico State University
individual spaces
New Mexico State University
trying to make the spaces work
New Mexico State University
from low use collections…
New Mexico State University
to high use study spaces
New Mexico State University
fixed ….. to modular furniture
New Mexico State University
furniture – durable, but dated…
new upholstery
New Mexico State University
new spaces for individual and
collaborative learning
New Mexico State University
zuhl library
• carpeting, paint & furniture - including
collaborative computer workspaces
• low use collections moved
• more computer spaces, more study spaces &
group learning spaces
• new signs & security gates
• study spaces reconfigured for quiet & groups
• furniture repurposed, reupholstered & rearranged
New Mexico State University
branson library (―looks like a prison‖)
New Mexico State University
low use collections….
New Mexico State University
favorite spaces…..
repainted
New Mexico State University
from crowded ….
to open spaces
New Mexico State University
uninviting……….
to comfortable seating
New Mexico State University
re-carpeted, repainted, reused &
rearranged
New Mexico State University
from entry ……
to gathering and study space
New Mexico State University
branson library
• new paint, carpeting & furniture
• lesser used collections moved and new
collaborative computer workspaces added
• new service desk and security gates
• lobby given new life with color and carpeting- now
a gathering place, not just an entrance
New Mexico State University
outcomes
• more flexible-use spaces
• improved computer & laptop infrastructure
• increased gate counts—spaces are active &
busy
next• dealing with noise, incorporating food/beverage,
understanding faculty/grad student spaces
New Mexico State University
lessons learned—finding the right
balance• user feedback will improve any space
planning project, regardless of budget
• user feedback should also be employed
when assessing what you’ve done
• operational goals matter too
• work with what you have—designers can
help you repurpose and recycle
New Mexico State University
what have you done? questions?
New Mexico State University
thank you!
New Mexico State University
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