Library Redesign: Evaluating & Measuring its Effects

on the School Library as a Collaborative Learning Space

Past Library

Objective
To conduct a longitudinal assessment of library spaces at Kaohsiung
American School and to determine the satisfaction of students with the new
library and media center design. The new library and media center are
positioned on two floors, and each is four times larger than the previous
Methodology ResultsOverall, there was a 200% increase in student use of the library media
combined library media center. They are designed to allow for different Usage of all library and media spaces was measured during two-week periods in center, driven primarily by the new renovation. The library circulation
types of uses by student need, focusing on flexible, user-centered August 2014 and June 2015. Hourly observations were made of each floor in the also increased by 160% over previous years. In the student survey 71%
environments to promote collaboration. Each floor has four private group library; measures included space utilization and category of user. In addition, a rated the different available spaces as “very satisfied” or “couldn’t be
study rooms, with two Apple TVs on each floor, and 48 modular couches. qualitative instrument was administered during May 2015 to 59 students via improved”.
The media center has 20 group study tables, to facilitate study groups and Google forms that asked questions about their library usage and experience.
tutors, and is a designated “normal” talking & cell phone use area. The
library has 24 quiet study desks with electricity to enable laptop use and
students are encouraged to study alone or read quietly if they are in the
library and cell phone use is discouraged. The library also has reading
benches, a primary elementary story corner, a section just for juvenile,
middle/high and foreign language books.

Modular Oi Couches

New Library & Media Center Group Study Rooms

Reading Benches

Story Corner

Collaborative Tables
Quiet Study Laptop Desks

Data
Hourly Usage of the Library Media Center Who uses which spaces/services?
40 100%
90%
80%
35
70%
60%

30 Comparison of Daily use of the Library/Media Center 50%

40%
450
30%
25 Library Hourly Average 20%
Number of users

10% Secondary
400 Elementary
0%
20 Media Center Hourly Average

15 Hourly averageof Past Library 350

Media Center

10
300

5
Number of users

250

0
Past Library Media Center Daily Use
7:30 8:30 9:30 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:30 16:00 16:15 New Library & Media Center Daily Use
200

Total Circulations
150
35000
Thinking about the new library, please rate
your experience with: Areas specifically for 100 30000
29,100
quiet and group study
25000
50
20000 19342
16927 17730
Total Circulations
n/a 0 15000
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 13827
poor
10000
Satisfied
Very Satisfied 5000
Can't be improved
0

Conclusion
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

This poster was researched and designed by

Library users appreciate having choices—choices concerning how and where they will
Natalie Teske Rector
study or read (alone or with friends), how they can sit, how they can use technology, and
Library Director
a space designated for each. The librarian in this environment rarely needs to restrict
Kaohsiung American School
student activity—she redirects it to another appropriate area instead. All student needs
For questions, please email
can be met while respecting different learning and communication styles.
natalierector@gmail.com