This attitudinal study was conducted via opportunity sampling at a table temporarily placed near the Rivers Green entrance of Addlestone Library. Participants were asked to use the provided materials to draw a picture of how they use the library within a timed, six-minute session. Immediately afterward, they were asked to narrate, or explain, each aspect of their drawing and briefly respond to ad-hoc interview questions.
While there were no specific research questions for this study, we were especially interested in how students were using the library classrooms in Addlestone Library (i.e., ADDL 120, 122, 127, and 360) as well as point-of-need research and instruction services (i.e., in-person and virtual appointments, in-person assistance at the Access & Instruction Desk, and virtual assistance via chat, phone, SMS text, and email).
Fall 2024
Amanda Kraft
The research methods used were cognitive mapping and short interviews. Participants were asked to pick three differently colored markers and use them to create a legend numbered "1," "2," and "3" in the top-right of a blank sheet of paper. They were then asked to draw a picture of how they use the library, using each one of their three markers for two minutes in the order dictated by their numbered legend. When the time was up (six minutes in total), the participants explained each aspect of their drawing and were briefly interviewed in more detail, especially about their usage of the Addlestone Library classrooms and point-of-need research and instruction services.
Six undergraduate students and one Aramark/Starbucks employee participated within a period of three to four hours, and each of their pictures was worth a thousand words! Their narrations provided in-depth insight into what students value about Addlestone Library, and the numbered legends demonstrated the order in which things were drawn.
Overall, the data demonstrate that students deeply enjoy both studying and socializing in Addlestone Library, but also highlight unawareness of, and (self-reported) anxiety about, library resources, services, and spaces. Participants also observed a lack of clarity/consistency on library policies, especially those regarding food and drink, hours, and noise, and expressed the need for better wayfinding signage. These were recurring research themes in 2024-2025.
To address these themes in 2025-2026, the team is enthusiastic about prototyping student-centered signage 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.
