The Library Space as Learning Space by Keith Webster
EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 45, no. 6 (November/December 2010)
University of Queensland Library conducted a survey of 1500 clients and found:
- Most respondents visited the library to undertake individual study-related activities, and they accomplished this.
- Respondents also visited the library to undertake social or group learning activities.
- Most respondents chose to work in the library because it is conveniently located and provides good study spaces.
- All respondents put location, atmosphere, study space, and finding what they need above social reasons (e.g., group meetings for visiting the library.
- Most respondents visited the library after they had been at home or at a class.
- Most respondents planned to stay in the library for between thirty minutes and two hours.
- Students spent most of their time in the library using computers and quiet study spaces.
- Students also used e-mail, the Internet, and Facebook, met and chatted with friends, ate, and borrowed books.
- Students wanted the library to provide more computers and more quiet areas.
The consistent message from our space studies is that place is important.
