Library Management
Volume 34, Issue 6-7, 2013, Pages 498-511
Planning library spaces and services for Millennials: An evidence-based approach
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine undergraduates' perception and use of two distinct library spaces - social and communal - in an academic library in order to provide more customized services. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted at D.H. Hill Library at North Carolina State University, including structured questions on perceptions and use of the library, perceptions of library
layout and design, and respondent demographics, as well as open
questions on the advantages and disadvantages of social and communal
spaces. Findings: Undergraduates frequently use the physical library.
Their usage patterns mirror common characteristics of Generation Y by
going there mostly on weekday nights, with friends or in a group. Both
communal and social spaces appear to be well-used for many different
activities ranging from solitary academic
work to technology-driven collaborative work and socializing. Some
demographic variables, such as ethnicity and gender, are found to affect
aspects of perception and use. For example, African American and Asian
students tend to engage in activities that involve library
technology, tools and resources, while White students simply use the
spaces. Despite their excitement and appreciation of the social spaces
in the library, students consider the quiet communal spaces integral to their experience of the library and stress the need of quiet space for academic work. Originality/value: This is one of a few systematic empirical studies on end-users' use of library space. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
