Libraries as learning spaces:
Exploring how students make use of the physical space in academic libraries
Francine May & Alice Swabey
Mount Royal University, Canada
9th Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries and Information Services
Outline• Introduction to the project • Why do this research?• Methods used• Preliminary results• Next steps
The research project• Examines the use of space
in 5 small Canadian academic libraries
• Questions asked:– How are undergraduates
making use of library spaces?– What role do these spaces
play in the life of the academic community?
Specific research objectives are to determine:• who the users of the
library are• what uses they make of
these physical spaces• whether the answers to
these questions differ depending on the context of each library
Why do this research?
It is not clear what affect current trends are having on the use of libraries as physical spaces
Trends affecting use of physical space in libraries…
1. Availability of digital information(Bennett, 2006; Sennyey, Ross, & Mills,
2009)
2. Many libraries report a downward trend in circulation and reference statistics(Anderson, 2011; Martell, 2008)
3. Conversely, it is also reported that some libraries are showing an increase in physical visits by patrons(Frade & Washburn, 2006; Opperman & Jamieson, 2008)
Why do this research?Against this background, this
research seeks to explore the actual use of physical space in a variety of different academic libraries.
In an era of digital information is the library still the heart of campus community?
Methods• Data gathered at 5 diverse
post-secondary institutions• 2 methods used
– Seating sweeps(9268 individuals observed)
– Student questionnaires (n = 588)
Data collection• Seating sweeps
• Rounds of sweeps conducted twice at each library
• Each round of sweeps involved four separate sweeps of the library
• Questionnaires• Circulated in print to individuals
in the library on the day after the second seating sweep
• Response rate 87%
Seating sweeps: Basic features• Clear definition of
behaviours observed• Systematic procedure to
follow during observation• Coding and counting system
(Given & Leckie, 2003)
Seating sweeps data collection form
Seating sweeps - Challenges
• Trade off between quantity of observations and detail
• Managing the large quantity of observations
Seating sweeps - Strengths
• Associates type and frequency of behaviours with design features
• Can generate a large number of quantifiable observations
Preliminary results
Who are the users of the library?
How are respondents making use of the library as a space?
Activities done by respondents in the library in the past year
Total (n = 622)
Worked on schoolwork using the library computers 84%Worked on schoolwork using a laptop 82%Used the printers / photocopiers 82%Socialised in person (i.e. chatting with friends) 75%Drank 75%Ate 69%Socialised online (for example by using facebook or email) 68%Used a group study room 67%Got help from library staff 63%Read or studied print materials NOT FROM THE LIBRARY 60%Borrowed or returned library materials 54%Physically searched for information (i.e. in the bookshelves) 50%Read or studied print materials FROM THE LIBRARY 46%Attended a library instruction session or workshop or tour 36%Took a nap 30%
Is grade point average related to use of the physical library?
Does library use change with length of study at the institution?
What do these results indicate about the role of the library in the academic community?
Preliminary conclusionsRegardless of grades or sex
library users generally:– visit the library frequently– stay for long periods of time– study alone or independently
within a groupSenior students
– make more use of the print collection
– are more likely to stay in the library longer
Preliminary conclusions – role of the library in the institution
As a space the library provides an important studying and learning space used by a range of students.
Libraries provide informal spaces where students can participate in and feel connected to the academic community.
Next steps• Complete analysis of
seating sweep data and long answer questionnaire responses
• Prepare results for publication
• Consider follow up studies
ReferencesAnderson, R. 2011, "Print on the Margins", Library Journal, vol. 136, no. 11, pp. 38-39.
Bennett, S. 2006, "The Choice for Learning", The Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 3-13.
Frade, P.A. & Washburn, A. 2006, "The University Library: The Center of a University Education?", Portal : Libraries and the Academy, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 327.
Given, L.M. & Leckie, G.J. 2003, "“Sweeping” the library: Mapping the social activity space of the public library.", Library and Information Science Research, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 365-385.
Martell, C. 2008, "The Absent User: Physical Use of Academic Library Collections and Services Continues to Decline 1995-2006", Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 400-407.
Opperman, B.V. & Jamison, M. 2008, "New roles for an academic library: current measurements", New Library World, vol. 109, no. 11, pp. 559-573.
Sennyey, P., Ross, L. & Mills, C. 2009, "Exploring the future of academic libraries: A definitional approach", The Journal of Academic Librarianship, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 252-259.
