Purpose:
This text is a part of an ongoing study on how to improve the library space for the users at the University Library at UiT The Arctic University of Norway (UiT).
UiT is the northernmost university in Norway, previously located only in the city of Tromsø. Since 2009, UiT has merged three times, the last time in January 2016. Today the University Library at UiT includes 11 libraries in five towns, spread over three counties. This project concerns UiT’s largest library the library of Culture and Social Science.
Since March 2017, the ground floor in the Library has been going through a larger renovation, due to be finished in July. In the planning process, different departments and students were involved, to insure user input. During planning and preparing the remodeling, some issues came up. Such as how do the students use the Library, and how can we make the space more attractive for them? Can we make the library in to a Social arena on Campus? Maybe it is already, if so, we need data to corroborate this. We would like to investigate further to perhaps be more prepared in the event of future renovations of the library building.
A study like this could be useful in day-to-day management and development of the library space. It will also be beneficial for other libraries at UiT.
Design, methodology or approach; Findings:
How do we gather the best data to enable us to create the best space possible for our users?
In December and January, the University Library at UiT ran a user survey. The analysis of the data is still in progress but so far, the study of the survey shows us, not surprisingly, that in general our users are quite satisfied with the University Library. The main issues mentioned are air quality, group rooms and noise. This shows the necessity for better tools to map and assess user behaviour.
At the Library of Culture and Social science, we are about to start "Tracking the Traffic" (TTT). This method systematically collects quantitative data about student behaviour in the library. The library staff will, several times a day, during a period, track what the students do at the library. Professor Tord Høivik at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Science developed the method. At the same time, we are going to carry out interviews with our users about their experience of the library.
Conclusions:
Will the analysis of the survey, the TTT and the interviews provide the information we want? We hope that tracking the students and talking with them will give us a clearer picture of how they experience the library. This will in turn enable us to create a better workspace and environment for the students at UiT.
Space , Services , Staff , Impact , Usage
Space.MakingtheUniverstyLibrarytheBestPlace.pdf 