Like Coffee and Seattle: How Users and Collection Space Work Together March 24, 2006 Kristin A. Cheney Seattle 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 studyreading 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 continue to 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