Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Spaces are arguably an academic library’s most important physical resource. As more coursework and published materials move online, students are seeking out academic libraries for where they can study and be successful, not only for what concrete resources the library can offer them. With that knowledge in mind, academic librarians are called to, as Spencer & Watstein (2017) write, “understand and appreciate that spaces not only inspire creativity, reflection, exploration and innovation but also impact learning” (p. 389). It is with this thought in mind that a couple of academic library professionals in southeast Georgia sought to research what our students thought of our spaces and how the spaces spoke to them after a first floor redesign that sought to create a more open and welcoming environment for patrons. This paper will discuss the administration of a short research survey on students’ perceptions of library spaces, and how this can be applied to larger, more long-term efforts to create engaging and welcoming spaces for students in the academic library.
Source: Georgia Library Quarterly
Authors: Jessica L Swaringen, Kelli Anne Gecawich
Institution: Georgia Southern University
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4409919152