student needs and expectations in an academic library
DESCRIPTION
Student Needs and Expectations of Academic Library Spaces. North Carolina State University Libraries, May 2012.TRANSCRIPT
Student Needs and Expectations in D.H. Hill Library
Liz JohnsMay 2012
Technology Use and Collaboration in Group Study Rooms
Outline
• About the study• Methodology• Results• Recommendations
About the Study
• Research Questions• Changes in library
spaces• Students and
Technology
Research Questions
How are students using the group study rooms?› Are they using the rooms to collaborate?› How are they using technology?
What does the Libraries need to improve?
Library spaces are changing!
1950 2012
What do we know already about students?
They are accustomed to integration of modern technology into their everyday lives.› Technology is an expected service.
Multitasking is habitual.› Students use multiple technologies at once.
Students prefer to work together in groups rather than alone, even if they are not working on the same projects.
Methodology
• Data Collection• Observations• Surveys
Data Collection
13 group study rooms Weekdays 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Surveys and Observations
› Data available in the Libraries’ Survey Monkey account.
› 50 groups observed, total of 123 students› 29 surveys, 111 students› 234 total students
Observations
Does the activity seem academic or social?
Are students interacting with each other or working silently?
How many students are using laptops?
Have students used the whiteboard markers or writable surfaces?
What other materials or technologies are students using?
Charging equipment?
How many students are using headphones?
Are students using the projectors?
Technology Indicators
Collaboration Indicators
Indicators of Collaboration and Technology Use
Surveys
How do you know the students in the room with you?
What kind of project/assignment were you working on?
What kind of technology or equipment would you like in the room that is not already present, and how would you use it?
Did you use the projectors? Why?
Why did you choose to use the library group study room?
Technology IndicatorsCollaboration Indicators
Indicators of Collaboration and Technology Use
What do you like best about this room?
What would you change?
Exploratory Questions
Results
• Group Size• Activity in Rooms• Writable Walls• Projection Screens• Lacking Technology• Collaboration• Student preferences
and suggestions
Group Size
1-6 students per room, except 1 group of 11
Average = 3 Most common group
size = 2
111%
66% 5
6%
415%
323%
235%
113%
Figure 2. Students per RoomCombined Observations and Surveys
(Number of rooms/Total rooms)
Activity in Rooms
Academic Social Unsure0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
78.0%
14.6%
7.3%
Figure 7. Academic vs. Social Activity,Combined Observations and Surveys
Writable Walls
More often than not they were not used.
Complaints:› Not enough markers in room.› Didn’t like colored walls. Liked the color in
the room, but not as writable surfaces. However, 31% indicated that the dry-
erase walls were one of the things they liked best about the rooms or why they chose to study there
Projection Screens
70% of the time not in use. Only 2% of observed students were
using the screens to full capacity, with different content on each screen
Complaints:› Mac adaptors not available in rooms.› Many unable to get the screens to work.
Also cited as a reason for using the room or one of the most desirable features.
Lacking Technology
Bean bag chairs More soundproof Audio
› Speakers In table iPads SMART Boards Hawaii Five-0
Other10%
Markers14%
Mac Adaptor14%
Audio24%
Visual Technology
38%
Figure 12. Suggestions for New Technology
Relation to Pop CultureHawaii Five-0 “Surface Table”
Collaboration
Unsure10%
Non-col-
labo-rative35%
Collaborative55%
Figure 13. Collaborative Work: Combined Observations and Surveys
What students like about the group study rooms
Quiet
Not di
sturb
othe
rs
Priv
acy
Locati
on
Table
spac
e
Whi
teboa
rd
Comfo
rt/Fu
rnitu
re
Techn
olog
y
Conce
ntrat
ion
Size
Light
ing
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
55%
38% 38%
34% 34%
31% 28%
21%
10% 10%
3%
Figure 14. Common Themes: S6 and S7
Suggested Changes from Students
Wall color21%
Room Configuration/Furniture17%
Markers10%Size
10%
Cleanliness7%
Lighting7%
Temperature7%
Windows7%
Technology problem7%
Sound3%
Availability3%
Figure 15. Suggested Changes
Recommendations
• How NCSU students study
• Future studies for the Libraries
• Suggestions for D.H. Hill
• Suggestions for Future Spaces
What was learned about how students study?
Social aspect Control Variety Large spaces Simplicity Instant gratification
Further Study
Interviews with students Further explore projection use. Are two
screens really necessary? Explore non-academic use of rooms
› Why were they in the library, and not somewhere else on campus? Shortage of campus space for groups to hold meetings?
› Does library have access to technology or resources other campus locations lack?
› Does the library want to encourage non-academic use of the rooms?
Suggested Changes for D.H. Hill
Consider adding additional rooms to fit more than 6 people.
Replace colored writable walls with white walls, and paint a non-writable surface a different color.
Speakers Install clearer directions for using projection
screens. Hang more permanent signs directing students to
Learning Commons Service Desks for assistance or materials.
Install Mac adaptors? Better website content
Future Spaces
Large tables. Comfortable, flexible furniture. White writable walls, color on other walls. Mac adaptors for screens. Permanent signs directing students to help. Speakers built into monitors or installed
separately. Lights that can be dimmed or adjusted. Temperature control.
Questions?