9th Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in
Libraries and Information Services
Libraries as learning spaces:
Exploring how students make use of the physical
space in academic libraries
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
Total
year
(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 conclusions
Regardless of grades or sex
library users generally:
– visit the library frequently
– stay for long periods of time
– study alone or independently
within a group
Senior 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
References
Anderson, 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.
Thank-you!
Questions are welcome
Francine May
fmay@mtroyal.ca