The Modern Academic Library: Space to Learn

South Carolina Libraries

Volume 3 Issue 2 Article 3

May 2018

The Modern Academic Library: Space to Learn

Cindy Price Francis Marion University

Virginia Pierce South Carolina State Library

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Recommended Citation Price, Cindy and Pierce, Virginia (2018) "The Modern Academic Library: Space to Learn," South Carolina Libraries: Vol. 3 : Iss. 2 , Article 3. Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/scl_journal/vol3/iss2/3

This Peer-Reviewed Article is brought to you by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in South Carolina Libraries by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Modern Academic Library: Space to Learn

Abstract Over the last two decades academic libraries in the United States have experienced a paradigm shift from book-centered spaces to learning-centered spaces as they work to provide services and resources in the new ways that users consume information. This article discusses the results of a survey conducted in early 2017 of South Carolina academic libraries to study this larger trend moving to learning-centered spaces. Forty two academic library administrators responded and shared how they are re-purposing their library spaces as they work to improve student and faculty user experiences.

Keywords learning-centered libraries, library space, academic libraries

Cover Page Footnote Cindy Price is Collection Developments Librarian at the James A. Rogers Library at Francis Marion University in Mars Bluff, South Carolina. Virginia A. Pierce is Public Services Librarian at the South Carolina State Library in Columbia, South Carolina.

This peer-reviewed article is available in South Carolina Libraries: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/scl_journal/vol3/ iss2/3

Peer Reviewed Article

The Modern Academic Library: Space to Learn by Virginia Pierce and Cindy Price Over the last two decades academic libraries in the United States have experienced a paradigm shift from book-centered spaces to learning-centered spaces as they work to provide services and resources in the new ways that users consume information (Bennett, 2009). Most academic work now utilizes course management systems which encourage group-based study and libraries are redesigning spaces with an View of open seating and computer space at Santa Clara University emphasis on “collaboration and versatility” Library recognized with a 2017 Excellence in Academics Award for (Head 2016; Khoo et al 2016). Print collections their recent re-designed library space. Photo by Tina Vossugh (2017) are being replaced by public computer areas, had not yet completed the survey and invited collaborative study areas, open space, and them a second time to participate. Of the fifty- multi-purpose spaces. In order to learn if South nine South Carolina academic libraries invited Carolina academic libraries are following these to participate, forty-two administrators national trends towards learning-centered responded to the survey resulting in a 71% library spaces to improve their student and survey response rate. These responses include faculty user experiences, we conducted an the feedback from two academic library deans online survey and invited library deans and with whom we had conducted a preliminary directors from every academic library in the inquiry on library space which inspired this state to participate. This article discusses the broader statewide survey. results of the survey. The survey asked administrators how their In January and February of 2017, we contacted library space needs had changed in recent one dean or director of each of the fifty-nine years, what types of changes they have academic libraries in South Carolina by email to implemented to meet their users’ needs, and if request his or her participation in an online changes had occurred during renovations or survey titled Survey of South Carolina incrementally. We also inquired if they had Academic Libraries on Library Space. The ten deselected print resources to reutilize space in question survey was designed and their reference, circulating, print periodicals, or implemented using a free version of microforms collections or in other areas of the SurveyMonkey software. We later followed up library. Those who had not yet made significant by telephone with those administrators who changes to their library spaces were asked if

they have plans to implement technical college director changes in the future. noted that “as a Additionally, we asked some commuter college broader questions such as students need a place what administrators believe away from home and are the most valuable aspects families for of a modern academic library, uninterrupted study.” for what purpose they believe Other common reasons the majority of their students shared were: to access come to use their libraries, and public computers (19%), if they had any other to conduct research comments to share regarding (15%), and to print space issues in their libraries. (10%). While almost The questions included in this everyone included study survey are shown in Figure 1. as their main belief students use the library, Of the forty-two academic most included multiple libraries that participated in reasons for visiting their the survey, at least fifteen are library in their answers: private college libraries, such as to seek research thirteen are public university assistance, attend library and college libraries, and six instruction, use media are public technical college services, socialize, libraries. Eight participants did attend programs, or not share the name of their attend tutoring sessions. library to indicate the type of institution with which they are When asked How have associated. Participants were your library space asked how many Full-Time needs changed in Equivalent (FTE) students they recent years? 81% serve and the size of their recognized the value of libraries. 78% of respondents collaborative space in serve student populations of their libraries and had 5,000 students or fewer and either added more 81% of respondents’ library collaborative space in spaces are 75,000 square feet recent years or or less. recognized that they need more. Many also We asked survey respondents noted that they have the question For what reduced the sizes of their purpose(s) do you believe the periodicals, circulating, majority of students and reference, and/or others come to use your audiovisual collections in library? Most respondents order to create more (79%) included in their answers that they open space, collaborative space, and study believed the majority of students use their space, or installed flexible furniture, and library to study, whether alone or in groups. Of comfortable seating. Many noted that they these, many noted that students seek the have designated quiet space in certain areas of library in order to find quiet space and one

For the survey question which asked Have you de-selected from any of the following print collections to reutilize library space: reference, circulating, print periodicals, microforms, or other areas? 76% of library administrators who responded to this question said they had deselected from their reference collections more often than other areas in order to reutilize library space. 46% of respondents de-selected from their circulating collections, 35% de-selected from their print periodicals collections, and 16% of respondents have Mediascape collaboration units in collaborative group study space at Coastal Carolina University’s Kimbel Library. Photo by reduced the sizes of their microforms Coastal Carolina University collections (Figure 2).

their libraries. One library dean shared that his library’s space needs had changed “dramatically” in recent years. He elaborated: “We needed more space for access as opposed to space for what we owned. We also needed to redesign our space to accommodate that new demand. In 2012 we redesigned our first floor to allow for more study space, more collaborative spaces and more public Figure 2. Survey results asking if libraries have de- computers. It has been an selected from print collections to reutilize space. unprecedented success.” Similarly, one director shared that they have Another area respondents noted they had de- moved away from storage space and towards selected materials were audiovisual media. One “people space” and another framed a similar respondent who has deselected from all four thought: “we’ve needed less floor space for collection areas stated that they “continually physical collections as we’ve shifted to increase look at areas to reduce the collection with an digital offerings. However, that ‘free space’ has eye towards creating additional collaborative been utilized to incorporate new technologies spaces.” Other respondents shared that they [like] Mediascape collaboration units.” Others have re-purposed space formerly occupied by noted they had added technology such as their reference or microforms collections to interactive whiteboards, makerspace labs, create group study rooms, more space for presentation practice rooms, and more study tables, and additional open floor space. computers and laptop rentals. Several college One library has merged its reference collection and university libraries noted they have had to (after robust deselection) with its circulating reallocate space for other campus programs collection with plans to convert the former and services such as centers for tutoring, reference area to additional open floor space. writing, academic success, career guidance, Another library dean noted that she oversaw teaching excellence, and information the extensive deselection of the library’s technology services. reference collection (replacing as many titles as

possible in e-book format) in order to provide had not yet made changes indicated that they “significant [space] for seating.” One noted have future plans to do so. that they de-selected in all areas including The question What do you believe are the circulating, serials, and reference not with the goal of creating space in the library but keeping most valuable aspects of a modern academic in mind what was best for the overall collection library? elicited similar feedback to previous and their students’ needs. Two respondents answers but provided more food for thought. shared that they moved collections to storage 54% of library deans and directors responded rather than permanent deselection in order to that collaborative space was the most reutilize the space these collections had important asset in an academic library today occupied. while many others shared that meeting the changing needs of students is paramount. One When asked If you have made changes to dean who responded enthusiastically stated your library space did they that space is their most pressing occur incrementally or need. “Students need to have during a renovation? 78% specific areas for collaboration, of respondents who have need study rooms, need quiet made library space changes spaces and need soft seating had executed changes areas. Libraries need to take a incrementally while 22% holistic approach to space noted changes were made planning as all our important during a renovation. One resources and services are respondent noted they “are interconnected.” Several embracing digital and employed the same adjectives, electronic resources in an prescribing that libraries need to effort to repurpose” their be welcoming, inviting, attractive library space. Several and spacious environments with respondents mentioned knowledgeable professional staff. utilizing compact shelving in One private college library director order to save or reuse space. expressed the consensus of other Another survey response Student using newly renovated space directors when he added: noted that they “are looking in Converse College’s Mickel Library. at the idea of remote Photo by Converse College “The modern academic storage for a significant library is a place for people portion of their little used print collection to to connect, discover, create, create room for collaborative spaces” in their and transform. These are library. One library shared they had renovated a keywords we used in our recent large portion of one floor in their building to strategic plan and we feel make room for a career center and had strongly about them. Today’s academic library is as much implemented incremental changes to spaces about our users being including moving a computer lab to create more study and program space and adding information producers as it is more study space that shelving had previously about their being information occupied. We also asked If your library has not consumers. Toward that, made any changes to address space issues do providing spaces and resources you have plans to implement changes in the for our academic communities future? and 90% of library administrators who to carry out the information life cycle is largely what we are all about.”

We asked library administrators to please add comfortable and more versatile seating areas any comments you would like to make throughout their libraries and are creating more regarding space issues in your library. versatility in the spaces and study rooms they Responses to this final question addressed have added. In conclusion, this survey provided different concerns administrators presently ample proof that the overwhelming majority of face. For example, library administrators South Carolina academic library deans and shared their concerns that other non-library directors are unified in moving away from programs might continue to push for space in traditional book-centered spaces and toward their libraries and concerns that budget learning-centered spaces with more focus on restraints are often an impediment in the open, inviting environments where users can execution of library re-design. Several affirmed learn, collaborate, and consume and produce that many students still do prefer print information in the multitude of new ways now materials and that they plan to maintain certain available to them. parts of their print collections. One public university library dean reflected that the References changes in their services have been more Bell, S. (2014). Staying true to the core: dramatic in the last five years than the previous Designing the future academic library fifteen years. Another public university library experience. Portal: Libraries and the Academy dean remarked: 14(3), 369-382. doi:10.1353/pla.2014.0021. “the entire concept of the Bennett, S. (2009). Libraries and learning: A library as a physical space is history of paradigm change. Portal: Libraries rapidly changing [and] and the Academy 9(2), 181-197. continues to be a very doi:10.1353/pla.0.0049. important part of what the library provides for our users-a Cha, S.H. & Kim, T.W. (2015). What matters for place to come and find students’ use of physical library space? The information but even more Journal of Academic Librarianship 41(3), 274- importantly a space to come 279. doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2015.03.014. and connect with other Coastal Carolina University (n.d.). The Kimbel learners, teachers, and Library and Bryan Information Commons researchers and a place to website. Areas in the Libraries and Commons. reflect and re-generate the Retrieved from spirit.” http://www.coastal.edu/intranet/library/service Our survey results demonstrate that nearly all s/areas.html. forty-two participants in this survey provided Converse College (n.d.). Converse Mickel Library remarkably similar answers and are carrying website. Retrieved from out many of the same changes to their spaces http://www.converse.edu/academics/mickel- regardless of their type of institution, library library/. size, or student population size. They are replacing many print materials with online Head, A.J. (2016). Planning and designing access to the same content and are adding academic library learning spaces: Expert more computers and the ability to access and perspectives of architects, librarians, and library research content on personal devices. They are consultants. A Project Information Literacy repurposing spaces to create open spaces Research Report: The Practitioner Series. where students and faculty feel welcome to Retrieved from spend time to reflect, regenerate, and socialize http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED571288.pdf. with their peers. They are adding more

Khoo, M.J., Rozaklis, L., Hall, C., & Kusunoki, D. (2016). “A really nice spot”: Evaluating place, space, and technology in academic libraries. College & Research Libraries 77(1), 51-70. doi: 10.5860/crl.77.1.51. Luthy, C. (2015). Educating Librarians About Makerspaces. Computers in Libraries, 35(9), 4-8. Vossugh, T. (2017, January 25). Santa Clara University awarded 2017 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award: University Library recognized for delivering exemplary services and resources. Santa Clara University Press Releases. Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/news-and-events/press- releases/2017/january-2017/santa-clara- university-awarded-2017- excellence-in- academic-libraries-award.html.

Virginia Pierce, Public Services Librarian, South Carolina State Library Cindy Price, Collection Development Librarian, James A. Rogers Library, Francis Marion University