Changes in Academic Library Space: A Case Study at The University of New South Wales

Bailin, Kylie

doi:10.1080/00048623.2011.10722245

Cited by 45 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The concept of the academic library as a silent, hallowed space dedicated to individual study is significantly outdated (Applegate 2009;Genoni 2013): academic library buildings these days house a variety of users working on a range of tasks (Fried Foster et al 2007;Bryant et al 2009;Bailin 2011). Many of these tasks are group tasks, and this style of work is increasingly popular in education at all levels (Cain 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In tandem with the rise of group work has been a period of Library redesign, to better facilitate this type of work, and to make libraries more welcoming, friendly places (Sweeney 2005;Fried Foster et al 2007;Bailin 2011). Despite such intentions, however, these changes are often either without any user consultation at all (see for example (Sussman et al 2011)), or driven more by institutional imperative than user need (King 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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On the other side from you

McKay

Buchanan

2014

Proceedings of the 26th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference on Designing Futures: The Future of Design

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the other side from you

McKay

Buchanan

2014

Proceedings of the 26th Australian Computer-Human Interaction Conference on Designing Futures: The Future of Design

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“…This contrast in findings may best be explained by the diversity of functions that students wish their library to fulfill. Bailin (2011) found that students wanted more of everything out of their library space (more individual study spaces, more group study spaces, more computers) and that the breakdown of what spaces students said they used is fairly evenly divided across all options (e.g., group, individual, lounge, and others). Webb et al (2008) noted through observation that 70% of the students were engaged in individual study (p. 416).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking and Listening: A Mixed-Methods Study of Space Use and User Satisfaction

Holder¹,

Lange²

2014

EBLIP

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Objective -This study was designed to assess users' reactions to two newly re-designed spacesone intended for quiet study and the other for group study -in the busiest library branch of a large research university. The researchers sought to answer the following questions: For which activity (group work, quiet study, and lounging or relaxing) do the users feel the space is most effective? Which furniture pieces do users prefer and for which activities? How are these spaces being used?Methods -Researchers used a mixed-methods approach for this study. Two methods -surveys and comment boards -were used to gather user feedback on preference for use of the space and users' feelings about particular furniture types. A third method -observation -was used to determine which of the particular areas and furniture pieces occupants were using most, for Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 2014, 9.3 5 which activities the furniture was most commonly used, and what types of possessions occupants most often carried with them.Results -User opinion indicated that each of the spaces assessed was most effective for the type of activity for which it was designed. Of the 80% of respondents that indicated they would use the quiet study space for quiet study, 91% indicated that the space was either "very effective" or "effective" for that purpose. The survey results also indicated that 47% of the respondents would use the group study space for that purpose. The observation data confirmed that the quiet study space was being used primarily for individual study; however, the data for the group study space showed equal levels of use for individual and group study. Users expressed a preference for traditional furniture, such as tables and desk chairs, over comfortable pieces for group work and for quiet study. One exception was a cushioned reading chair that was the preferred item for quiet study in 23% of the responses. The white boards were chosen as a preferred item for group study by 27% of respondents. The observations showed similar results for group study, with the three table types and the desk chair being used most often. The lounge chairs and couch grouping was used most often for individual study, followed by the tables and desk chairs.Conclusion -By combining user feedback gathered through surveys and comment boards with usage patterns determined via observation data, the researchers were able to answer the questions for which their assessment was designed. Results were analyzed to compare userstated preferences with actual behaviour and were used to make future design decisions for other library spaces. Although the results of this study are institutionally specific, the methodology could be successfully applied in other library settings.

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“…A study at the University of New South Wales assessing the needs and preferences of students in regards to library space identified several themes: collaborative study, individual study, flexible space design, social spaces, availability of technology, noise levels, and a service desk component (Bailin, 2011). According to Nitecki (2011), In the past two decades or so, academic libraries have taken a new focus on the use of physical space, trading collection shelving for more seating for readers and sometimes upgrading these public work areas with technologies and equipment.…”

Section: The Changing Role Of Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Favor of Weeding

Ferguson

2015

Serials Review

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Changes in Academic Library Space: A Case Study at The University of New South Wales

Cited by 45 publications

References 19 publications

On the other side from you

On the other side from you

Looking and Listening: A Mixed-Methods Study of Space Use and User Satisfaction

In Favor of Weeding

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