The Learning Commons NCSU Libraries
ASERL Panel on User Studies
Joe Williams, Director of the Learning Commons <[email protected]>
It’s All About U: The ASERL-Auburn Forum on Library User Studies
Background
• East Wing Renovation
• Higher Education Bond
• Opened March 12, 2007
• Commons ~15,000 square feet
Services & Activities Supported
Research & Information
LibrariansLibrariansGrad AsstsGrad Assts
Paraprof. StaffParaprof. Staff 24/524/5
coveragecoverage
IMIMemailemailphonephone
Productivity Computing
105 additional105 additionalworkstations workstations
70/3070/30PC/MacPC/Mac
ProductivityProductivityapplicationsapplications
Familiar labFamiliar labdesktopdesktop
MultimediaMultimedia
GamingGaming
Group Group studystudy
PrintPrintReferenceReference
TechTechLendingLending
DigitalDigitalSignageSignage
Group StudyGroup StudyRoomsRooms
• Interactive white board
• LCD Projector
• Podium
• Dry Erase Board
• Smart Glass
Presentation Presentation PracticePractice
Evaluation Questions
• Who is using the Learning Commons?
• How are patrons using the Learning Commons?
• How satisfied are patrons with the Learning Commons?
• What is needed next in the Learning Commons?
Procedures
• Observations • Email comments• Workstation data• Webpage statistics• Surveys
• Student advisors• Desk transactions• Tech lending data• Reservations data• Forum comments• Gate & head counts
Procedures
• Observations • Email comments• Workstation data• Webpage statistics• Surveys
• Student advisors• Desk transactions• Tech lending data• Reservations data• Forum comments• Gate & head counts
Student Advisors
Monthly meetingMonthly meetingPizzaPizza
GuestsGuestsShort agendaShort agenda
U.L.C.U.L.C.
Tech LendingTech Lending
Web pageWeb page
Research HelpResearch Help
EventsEvents
NoiseNoise Video gamesVideo games
A Week at the Reference Desk
0
50
100
150
200
250
Reference Print/Copy Computing Directional
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Avg. Week at the Desk ‘07- ‘08
Desk Transactions ‘07- ‘08
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
July
2007
Augus
t 2007
Septe
mbe
r 200
7
Octobe
r 200
7
Novem
ber 2
007
Decem
ber 2
007
Janu
ary 20
08
Febru
ary 2
008
Mar
ch 2
008
April 2
008
May
2008
June
200
8
Reference
Print/Copy
Computing
Directional
Technology Lending
Laptops
iPods
Game controllers
GPS
Camcorders
Cameras
Headphones
Calculators
USB keys
Voice recorders
Technology Lending Data
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
Fall 2007
Laptops
Cameras
Camcorders
MP3 players
iPods
Headphones
Gaming
GPS
Technology Lending Data
Related Surveys
• Exit surveys– Laptop lending– GPS lending– Gaming parties
• Other collaborative studies– Learning Commons assessment
(Stephen Sherman, UNC SILS, 2008)
– Learning Commons gaming program(Brian Clossey, UNC SILS, 2008)
Discussion Forum
• 287 Users – 276 NCSU student/faculty/staff– 11 Libraries staff
• 111 Topics Started– 62 by students/faculty/staff– 49 by Libraries staff
• 239 Posts – 158 by students/faculty/staff– 81 by Libraries staff
March 12, 2007-June 25, 2008
Most-viewed Topics
Topic Author Views Date
“Why are there video games in the library commons?” Student 30,903 06-Dec-07
“really annoyed” Student 24,221 06-Dec-07
“noise level in new wing” Student 3,864 03-May-07
“Is it wrong to expect the library to be QUIET???” Student 3,767 02-Jun-07
“pro and cons of the draft” Student 3,541 11-Apr-07
“Finals and Dead Week help” Staff 2,830 23-Apr-07
“Computers rebooting in Commons?” Staff 2,728 25-Apr-07
March 12, 2007- June 25, 2008
Workstation Data
Average workstation utilization in Learning Commons ‘07-’08
Observations
[Thursday]
[Thursday]
[Thursday]
Thank You
Joe Williams, Director of the Learning Commons <[email protected]>
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