Acc Svcs Conference Atlanta 2009 Space Presentation

New Mexico State University

Looking through the keyhole:

How users think about and use

library space

Access Services Conference 2009

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/images/helpabout/keyboard_250x145.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/images/helpabout/keyboard_250x145.jpg

reinventing the library

• academic libraries - past



• academic libraries - present



• academic libraries - future


http://www.clipartof.com/details/clipart/40548.html

our location


project settings:

branson & zuhl libraries


directives:

1. relocate low-use collections

2. shelving expansion

3. create new user spaces

4. with limited funds $

5. short timeframe


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http://www.picsearch.com/info.cgi?q=Tecate&id=IYgFB3cuA4Lggt7LcYi8r8m8dLEg5siuWhwjvjk6o20&start=21

―space team‖


doing it right?!


•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 …


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


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)


zuhl 2nd @ 9am/4pm/10pm


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?‖


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


analyzing building use surveys

• print/electronic options

• quantitative data

analyzed with

SurveyMonkey

• text comments

analyzed, categorized

for themes


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‖


analyzing flip chart feedback

• standardized

common concepts

(e.g., noise, noisy,

loud, deafening)

• used text cloud

generator to show

results


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‖


students want

• quiet/individual v. group spaces

• more computers, but also more support for

laptops (outlets, wifi)

• color, comfy and inviting spaces critical


zuhl library (the zoo)


individual spaces


trying to make the spaces work


from low use collections…


to high use study spaces


fixed ….. to modular furniture


furniture – durable, but dated…

new upholstery


new spaces for individual and

collaborative learning


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


branson library (―looks like a prison‖)


low use collections….


favorite spaces…..

repainted


from crowded ….

to open spaces


uninviting……….

to comfortable seating


re-carpeted, repainted, reused &

rearranged


from entry ……

to gathering and study space


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


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


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


what have you done? questions?


thank you!


Education

Acc Svcs Conference Atlanta 2009 Space Presentation