Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-7-2015

Keywords

Academic libraries, college students, library design, study spaces, surveys, user studies

Abstract

The design of library space is undergoing significant changes in layout and focus. Knowing that understanding a specific library’s user needs is essential to effective planning, many academic institutions have undertaken user studies to establish user needs prior to embarking on redesign, or update of library physical space. Librarians at Whitworth University, a small liberal arts college, conducted an online questionnaire of currently enrolled students to appraise current library use and determine potential areas for improvement based on user needs. The survey revealed some unique characteristics of this user group: use of technology for study, and resource discovery was balanced by preferences for non-digital methods of resource access and use.

Rights

This is the post-print version of the article which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1177/0961000615592947

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