This report is based on a series of presentations at the second CLIR Seminar on "Participatory Design of Academic Libraries," held at the University of Rochester's River Campus June 5-7, 2013. Participatory design is a relatively recent approach to understanding library user behavior. It is based on techniques used in anthropological and…

How can libraries best assess and improve user space, even if they are not in a position to undertake new construction or a major renovation? Staff at New Mexico State University used a variety of ethnographic methods to learn how our spaces were being used as well as what our users considered to be ideal library space. Our findings helped us make…

At the request of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, the Nassau Library System conducted a comprehensive survey of the library's operations and facilities. Information was gathered from relevant documents, interviews with the director and staff, and community surveys. Conclusions were drawn about the state of the library and 13 major…

Situated in the Manor Oaks Elementary School, the Hillside Public Library (HPL) serves as a joint school and public library. At the request of its board of trustees, a comprehensive survey of HPL operations was conducted by the Nassau County Library System. This report presents the findings of this survey, which are to be used in future planning.…