Transcript Using Evidence for Space Planning

Using Evidence for Space Planning
Kathy Crowe
Associate Dean for Public Services
Mike Crumpton
Assistant Dean for Administrative Services
University Libraries
University of North Carolina at
Greensboro
Jackson Library (main)
University Libraries- UNCG
Identifying Space Problem
 Jackson Library includes 3 story main
building built in 1951 and a 9 story book
tower built in 1973
 131,705 sq ft of shelving space, at capacity
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
Seating for 849 reduced by 50% last 5 years
Collection runs full, incoming acquisitions
outpacing withdrawals
 Student requests are for group study areas
with tools for collaborative work
 Quality of instruction affected by small
instructional space
Recent Upgrades
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Connector to Student Center
Information Commons
Group floors/quiet floors
Collaboratories
24/5 space
Food/drink allowed
Wireless
Purpose of Assessment Activity
 Gain hard data to present to consultant for
programming ideas related to renovations
 Gain data on how students use the building
 Gain data to present to University
Administration for funding requests
 Determine students’ satisfaction with the
Libraries
 Consider changes to technology policies and
actions to library space
 Determine future needs
Changes in Functionality
•SuperLab – 100 IT computers housed in
library, needed for convenience
•Wireless – highly used, but need space in
which to use
•Instruction – class and individual, grown
significantly but needs more space
•Food and Drink – keeps students in library
•Increase in student population – natural
facility on campus to feel the increase
•Increase in research needs - new Carnegie
Classification of "High Research Activity"
Where do they work?
 Which areas?
 Comfy furniture or
tables?
How do they work?
 Groups?
 Alone?
What are they using?
 Library materials or
their own?
 Library computers or
laptops?
When are they HERE?
Three Assessment Activities
 In-house survey
 Observational
studies
 Focus groups
In-house Survey
 One week in November
2007
 1 page checklist
 Set up table in Library
 Staffed with students
 Giveaways
 600 responses!
What they do
Top 5 Activities (not mutually exclusive)
328
275
227
178
143
Used a computer Studied or worked
in the library (other on a project by
than the Superlab)
myself
Used a quiet
space to study
Just walked
through
Met a group to
study or work on a
project
How often they come
Visits per week
269
213
89
25
Once per week
2-3 times per week
4 or more times per
week
No answer
How long they stay
How much time is spent in library?
184
174
103
102
63
In and out
10-15 minutes
An hour
2-3 hours
More than 3
hours
When they come
What time of day?
363
260
238
Mornings
Afternoons
Evenings
103
95
Late Night
Weekends
Observational Study
 22 walk-through observations with checklist
 One week in March 2008
 Various times of day and evening
 LIS student used it as a practicum project
Where and when
Reading Room Totals
32
29
23
28
23
22
19
19
17
12
13
16
15
13
12
11
8
2
28
3
Days and times of week
15
Furniture preferences
Group Floor
Quiet Floor
Using tables
Using carrels
Using comfortable chairs
Using tables
Using carrels
Using comfortable chairs
22%
31%
46%
14%
64%
23%
Alone vs. Groups
Group floor
Quiet Floor
Working alone
Working in small groups
Working in large groups
Working alone
Working in small groups
21%
22%
32%
79%
46%
Alone vs. Groups
Information Commons
Working alone
Working in small groups
Working in large groups
Reading Room
Working alone
Working in small groups
Working in large groups
3%
13%
36%
35%
62%
51%
Computer usage
Information Commons
Library computers vs.
laptops
Using library computer
Using laptop
Reference Room
Computer Usage
Using login computer
Using open computer
Using laptop
24%
33%
36%
76%
31%
Using Materials
Reference Room
Using reference book
Using own materials
Using reference and own materials
16%
Reading Room
Using magazines or newspapers
Using own materials
Using library and own materials
17%
12%
24%
60%
71%
Focus Groups
 Recruitment
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emails to student groups,
posters, flyers
 Offered iTunes card as gift
 Offered refreshments
Focus Groups
 Six sessions in April 2008
 Good mix of demographics; undergraduates,
graduate students and subject areas, ages,
off-campus and on-campus
 Used LIS practicum student again
 Took notes and transcribed
 Part of discussion was showing space
consultant’s first concept drawing
Concept Drawings
Questions Asked
 How often they come and when?
 Entrance they use?
 What do they do?
 What’s good, what needs improvement?
 Role of the Library?
 Concept drawing
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Identify major changes for feedback
Aesthetics of specific areas, i.e. circ desk,
basement, SuperLab
Student Feedback
 Library is an important place to study
 Both group space and quiet space important
depending on assignment or task
 Most students use their own materials
 Don’t want to carry their laptops around
 A variety of furniture and spaces are needed
 Online resources particularly important to
grad students
Summarized Responses
Circ Desk not
easily accessable
Love collaboratories…
Need more!
Librarians helpful
but group instruction
suffers from lack of space
Superlab is needed
but as convenience,
would go further to use
Food and drink important
for using library
Basement creepy
and dark
Other Useful Info
 Lack of awareness of some services
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Software on Library computers
Printing options
Copy center type services
Carrels and lockers
IM assistance
 Materials not as important to undergrads
 Two entrances create traffic flow and
communication opportunity
 Students expect us to be there
Influence on Space Planning
 Feedback and ideas carried into second
concept drawing and final report
 Evidence of library more important for space
rather than materials
 Comforts and conveniences important for
ownership of space
 Library can be host to other service points
with expectations of compliance
 Library is important to total educational
experience and should be presented as such
Space Report
Recommendations
 Reposition Access Services Desk
 Move Superlab to 2nd floor – destination
 Expand Information Commons area including
computers and collaboratories
 Develop Cyber-café concept
 Create Government Info & Data Center
 Remodel basement to include “people
friendly” spaces and services concept
 Expand services, i.e. copy center, newsroom
 Enlarge library instructional lab(s)
Immediate Actions Taken
 Expanding collaboratories concept
 Increasing popular furniture options
 Offering laptop checkout in Fall 2008
 Offering carrels to all students
 Adding vending options
 Expanding 24/5 available space
 Targeting marketing of IM, collaboratories
and other services
 Implementing NewsRoom in the Fall
 Adding Messaging Board for traffic
Summary of Process
 Space needs and problems identified
 Space consultant hired
 Survey of student space needs conducted
 Observational studies of behavior-related
traits conducted
 Focus group activity conducted with space
consultant’s first concept drawing
 Space consultant’s revised second drawing
compared to assessment data
Summary of Process “continued”
 Staff feedback gathered from each concept
presentation including assessment data
 Space consultant issued final report and
recommendations
 Changes identified that were affordable
outside of remodel executed summer ’08
 Proposal presented to Deans Council with
request for funding assistance for major work
and changes
 Assessment data summarized for staff
What’s Next?
 LibQual in the Fall semester
 Assessment of immediate actions
 Post Space Assessment Committee charge;
gather data, recommend process
 Additional student feedback to be gathered
on steps recommended by Post committee
 Look for funding for large recommendations
 Usability project for virtual space
 Assessment team in place