Like Coffee and Seattle:How Users and Collection Space

Work Together

March 24, 2006

Kristin A. CheneySeattle University Law Library

What Constitutes a Collection?

• Books• Microforms• Electronic Databases• Digitized Materials• Interactive Media

Future of the Library

• All electronic?• Will you need collection space and user

space?• Will it exist as a place?

Achieving Collection and User Space Compatibility - Variables

• Amount of square footage• Collection size• Types of collections• Types of storage (shelves –

traditional/compact, microform cabinets, computer w/accompanying equipment)

• User groups

Design Should Reflect Users

• Different users• Different needs• Different interactions with the collection

Library Operations Student

Learning

Why come to the Library?

• Safe and quiet environment• Away from distractions• Individual study• Group study• Class assignments• Browsing material• Research• Consulting librarians

Types of Workspace

study reading

research

?

Types of Seating/Workspace

• Soft seating – busier/noisier areas; informal study areas; casual reading areas

• Carrels – semi-private; sense of ownership; expectation of quiet

• Tables – variety of activities; rectangular v. round;

• Group study – rarely have enough; acoustical quality

• Stand-up terminals – short term use

Inadequate or Just Inappropriate?

Examples:• Lounge seating in research/study areas• No study rooms – students will improvise• Materials “walking” from areas lacking

workspace

Seating – How many of each type?

• Varies with institution• Informal studies – ¾’s of students prefer

individual accommodations• Carrel – fill-rate of 80-90% capacity; Table seating – fill-rate of 60% or less

Collection Growth?

• Current medium law library - 5-7,000 volumes per year

• Research collections will continueto grow

• New areas of research

Will technology free up space?

• Overall growth rate decreases• Space required for technology (computers,

readers/scanners, printers . . . . )

Collection Space Solutions

• Creative shelving techniques• Zero collection growth• Convert existing print to non-print format• Electronic replacement• Off-site storage• Resource sharing