This attitudinal study was conducted via opportunity sampling at a table temporarily placed near the Rivers Green entrance of Addlestone Library. Voluntary participants were asked to use the provided materials to write a brief letter or note addressed to the Addlestone Library in celebration of its "20th birthday" (i.e., the anniversary of the building's opening in 2005). While completely free (and, once again, voluntary), this study initially took place alongside fundraising efforts on CofC Day (March 19-20, 2025). Due to its CofC Day popularity, it was also offered during Cougar Countdown, a multi-day program of events for students to de-stress during final exams each semester.
There were no specific research questions for this study.
Spring 2025
Amanda Kraft and Elena Rodriguez
The research method used was love and break-up letters. Participants were asked to write a short note addressed to Addlestone Library, as if the building were a person, on a postcard-style birthday card of their choosing; four different designs were made available. While the fronts of the birthday cards varied slightly, the backs of them all started with "Dear Addlestone Library," and provided lines for the participant to write (or draw!) on. Pens were also provided.
In total, 58 library users participated (38 on CofC Day and 20 during Cougar Countdown); only two of the cards were identified as being from faculty members. Their very emotive letters (and fun drawings!) provided in-depth insight into what students value about Addlestone Library but also what they find confusing or inaccessbile.
Overall, the data emphatically demonstrate that students deeply enjoy spending large amounts of time studying and socializing in Addlestone Library, which they describe as a “reliable” “safe space,” and one with "helpful" and "kind" staff. Participants also communicated (although not always directly) a lack of clarity/consistency on library policies, especially those regarding food and drink, hours, and noise, and expressed (again, indirectly) the need for increased library marketing and communications efforts. These were recurring research themes in 2024-2025.
To address these themes in 2025-2026, the team is enthusiastic about prototyping student-centered marketing communications as well as promotional events via the Library UX and Engagement (LUXE) Café, a pop-up event during which we ask library users to spend five to ten minutes answering usability questions, completing monitored tasks, or getting a quick refresher on library basics in exchange for free snacks and beverages.
