This is a very working draft of possible thoughts/questions for studying our space this term. See below - EVERYTHING is up for discussion/debate (even the goals). Please review and give feedback.
Thanks - SH
Draft - Ethnographic study - space
Goals
- learn now we can best serve our users
- learn what our users needs are related to our spaces
- equipment
- staff
- collections (including reserves)
- study spaces
- other
- find ways to reach users who don't come into spaces too
- find out why they don't
- or what would inspire them to visit
- where do they work/study instead
Things to keep in mind:
- want specific stories - not just opinion - don't always ask why - find out the thought process behind their action
Several pronged approach
1. Ethnographic interviews - scheduled (get volunteers through sign up or lists already compiled - or does this lend itself to a survey?)
Possible questions:
- how often do you visit a physical library
- what do you do in the library (reserves, equipment, study, sleep, etc.)
- what could we do to improve the space
- where is your favorite place to study/work
- where else on campus do you like to study? what draws you to this space?
2. Observational studies
From CQ (information she'd like to see - my notes in italics):
- count users in all of our spaces on an hourly basis - (possible via gate count)
count users in the zones of our spaces on an hourly basis [24 hr and group study spaces, use of LAN computers for MIT and non-MIT] - (would just need to define/map zones in each library - and then decide who would count and how the counting would occur)
- conduct study over multiple sample weeks during semester - (two or three times?)
- compare observational data to Aleph transactions happening during sample weeks and referrals/Ask Us questions or away from desk/Reserch Consultations during those sample weeks - (is this data Lisa S. could gather in her data role?)
- another interesting data question from CQ: is there any hourly data to be gathered from use of our web site, research guides, Barton OPAC, ILLiad or Vera resources that could inform when our users are actively working?
Other things to record at determined time/intervals:
- make a note of what people are doing, what objects they are using or trying to use, or what people are doing in interaction with each other
Sample observation report form (for bullet point above):
- Observer name
- Location/time/date
- Description of setting (for a particular spot in a library or other space)
- What people were doing (activities observed, with any counts that may have been done - such as, x number of people had laptops)
- Difficulties and comments (any problems that arose or that were perceived, plus any additional comments on the task or what you saw)
3. Lobby interviews (give a questionnaire or a $100 test or both)? We could hand these out - they could give them back when they leave or we could have a box near the door. Participating would enter them into a drawing for a $25? gift certificate. We could also ask liaisons to send this out electronically - similar to what we did for Sugg. Box.
- what are you coming to do
- how often do you visit the library
- how long do you think you'll spend?
- what could we do to make the space better for you?
or if they are leaving the library
- what was the nature of your visit - have options to circle?
- how long was your visit
- what could we do to make the space better for you
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Question/themes ideas taken from "User Needs study ideas"
- would you be more likely to visit a library if it had a cafe? Would you like to be able to eat/drink in the library?
- what is the best time for you to do work or study?
- what times of day are you the most productive? lazy? curious?
- on average, how much time do you spend in the library?
- what is the earliest hour of the day that you would ever expect to be able to get into a) library study space, b) library print collections ?
- what are users doing in our spaces @ different times of the day? i.e. how does time of day affect how a library is used?
- what percentage of your work time/study time is individual and what percentage is group?
- what is the one thing about the libraries at MIT that you would change if you could?
- what level of noise and activity are you willing to tolerate?
- how is the room temperature?
- Why do you come to the library?
- what makes you choose library space for your work?
- do you feel secure/safe in the library?
- where is you favorite place to study, in or out of the libraries?
- do you have more need for study space or for access to our print collections?
- what would make you come to the library more often?
- what equipment do students usually carry with them? (laptops, smartphones, ebook readers, camera, etc.)
- do you expect the libraries to provide ANY equipment?
- do you need library computers? or do you prefer to do as much work as possible on your own laptop?
- is there special equipment that you would find useful for the libraries to provide?
- if you don't work regularly (or ever) in a library space, why not?
- what type of spaces do users see us lacking?
- what is lacking in our spaces that require you to leave when you'd rather keep working?
- what are three positive and three negative words you would use to describe our spaces?
- what is your favorite feature of the library?
- are library hours adequate?
- which part of campus are you in most frequently?
- How spaces are used by activity and by time of day. Which times of day do people use our spaces and for what? How busy are the group study rooms.?
- How well do we meet people's needs as a mobile workspace? Carrells, lockers, laptop safety, outlets, mobile printing.
- questions about Hayden: is first floor best spot for browseable collections
- is browsing in stacks needed? how many people still want to browse
- do you find the library staff to be approachable? helpful?
- is there anything that you found useful at another library, that MIT Libraries could be doing?
- ways to secure laptops and other belongings... to prevent theft
- what hours are the most important to you for the libraries to be open?
- how would you rate our facilities?
- do you use one of our 24 hour rooms? which one? advantages? do you need more?
- physical collections vs. study spaces: which is more important to our users?
- if the libraries added more 24 hour study space, where would you want it to be?
- how do you use library spaces, online tools, or non-library online tools in group settings?
- what is most challenging about studying in Hayden, Rotch... ?
- do users choose different library study spaces (group vs. individual) depending on the type of work, or do they typically use library study spaces for a particular purpose?
- how do users want to access our print materials?
- if print reserves were in only one library would students continue to use them in the same way? which library would be the most conducive to student needs
- who browses?
- what services do people expect at the library service desk
- how many books did you check out of the MIT Libraries last semester?