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Tag Archives: Assessment
How Students Feel about Library Architecture and Design
An article in the September 2011 issue of College and Research Libraries details the findings of a fascinating study into the way students perceive library architecture (exteriors and interiors), specifically modern vs. traditional design. The most compelling conclusion was that students value highly having books around them in the library even if those books may go unused:
If asked, students may not state that they want visible stacks in the library; in fact, if asked whether they intend to use the books on the shelves, they may say they have no intention of using them. However, if the stacks are taken completely away, they may feel a keen detrimental effect. Therefore, it is important to examine the academic library from this affective perspective prior to planning new construction or making any drastic changes in the design and model of the traditional library, rather than relying on student input in the simplistic form of “Please let us know what you’d like to see in the new library.” While students may request a coffee shop, computer stations, and the latest technology, this cannot reflexively be considered to be a wish for those things to the exclusion of more traditional design and items. Traditional and modern elements can happily coexist, but careful planning and sensitivity to these subtle, but significant, desires are required. (p. 437)
In designing the survey instrument for the study, the authors wanted to discover to what extent students had feelings about libraries as spiritual, sanctified places. They discovered that students had even stronger feelings about the spirituality of libraries than was expected and that those feelings should be kept in mind during re-designs of older libraries and construction of new ones:
This empirical study affirmed our hypothesis that spaces deemed as “sacred” or “sanctified” produce affective benefits for people that extend beyond attitudes and into the realm of behavior (projected library use). Circulation statistics do not measure these benefits; students may not actually use the books on the shelves, but they “sanctify” the books—being around the books makes them feel more scholarly and connected to the institution’s educational mission. This type of response is borne out in the literature examining the affective responses to sacred spaces. Being in the presence of sanctified objects increases the worshipper’s spiritual experience even if the worshipper does not technically “use” the objects. Within this context, the overall contribution of “spiritual” library items to the greater sacred ambience should not be taken lightly. While students clearly value computers in libraries, paradoxically they do not like tech-heavy–looking spaces; students want new technologies presented in traditional academic surroundings.These findings have implications for new construction and remodels. (p. 436)
Jackson, Heather Lea, and Trudi Bellardo Hahn. “Serving Higher Education’s Highest Goals: Assessment of the Academic Library as Place.” College & Research Libraries 72.5 (2011): 428 -442. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Academic libraries, Assessment, Library architecture, Library as place, Library design, Surveys
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Tech Sharecase, 22 July 2010
Attendees
Janey Chao, Stephen Francoeur, Ellen Kaufman, Jim Livornese, Ryan Phillips, Linda Rath, Mike Waldman, Kevin wolff
LibGuides
We discussed Steven Bell’s study of LibGuides (pdf), which he presented at 16th Annual Reference Research Forum at the ALA Annual Meeting this year. Bell asked whether LibGuides help students do better research? The results of the student were inconclusive.
Gartner Research
On the CUNY Portal, we have limited subscription to Gartner Research (we do have access to the magic quadrant charts).
IT Needs for the Library
Jim Livornese asked us to talk about what IT needs the library has. Suggestions we discussed included:
- better, faster, more stable PCs at the ref desk (the best we can offer) that have dual monitors (one angled for the patron, another for the librarian) and speakers (so we can play videos to patrons as needed)
- digital signage
- longer period for guest logins (2 days? 3 days? 1 week?)
- better sense of who to contact in BCTC for what
- software that makes image on instructor’s classroom PC display on the student PCs
- multiple projection screens in the classrooms (and more whiteboards)
BCTC Projects
Jim Livornese ran through a list of projects that BCTC will be looking into or developing further: podcast producers, Boxee, iTunes U, media development, etc.
Videos
We watched the BYU video that was just released and parodies a recent ad campaign from Old Spice. Here is the BYU library video:
[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/2ArIj236UHs” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]
Here is the original Old Spice commercial:
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/uLTIowBF0kE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
It was noted that Yale and Middlebury have similarly well-produced videos for aimed at attracting applicants.
RSS Reader in Microsoft Office 2010
The new version of Outlook in Microsoft Office, which we are all getting in our desk PCs soon, has a RSS reader built in.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged ALA Annual, Assessment, BCTC, Gartner Research, Information technology, LibGuides, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, PCs, Reference services, RSS, Tech Sharecase, Videos
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