ERIC Number: EJ815266
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1531-2542
EISSN: N/A
Measuring Library Space Use and Preferences: Charting a Path toward Increased Engagement
Webb, Kathleen M.; Schaller, Molly A.; Hunley, Sawyer A.
portal: Libraries and the Academy, v8 n4 p407-422 Oct 2008
The University of Dayton (UD) used a multi-method research approach to evaluate current space use in the library. A general campus survey on study spaces, online library surveys, a week-long video study, and data from the "National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)" were examined to understand student choices in library usage. Results suggest that although UD students prefer to study at times alone and at times with or near others, students used the UD library primarily to study alone. We determined that the following characteristics are important in considering student selection of group study spaces: spaces that are comfortable, spaces that facilitate interpersonal communication, spaces that they can control, and areas that promote the integration of basic human needs and desires (such as eating, drinking, and enjoyment) with learning activities. Library spaces have been reconfigured and redesigned to increase student selection of the library for group study. (Contains 2 tables, 2 charts and 29 notes.)
Descriptors: Library Facilities, Academic Libraries, Space Utilization, Interior Space, College Students, Student Attitudes, Private Colleges, Use Studies
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A