Using Photography to Document Library Space Use Kathleen Webb Background The University of Dayton Catholic and Marianist Approximately 7000 undergraduates Residential 96 live in University housing all four years ID: 604319
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Slide1
Through the Viewfinder:
Using Photography to Document Library Space Use
Kathleen WebbSlide2
Background
The University of DaytonCatholic and Marianist
Approximately 7000 undergraduatesResidential – 96% live in University housing all four yearsDevelopmental approach to living – from traditional residence halls to single family housesSlide3
Primary Focus
Developing a method for assessing learning spaces – both classrooms and non-classroom spaces
Exploring relationship between learning and the characteristics of spaceSlide4
Plan
Photograph how the spaces were being usedExperiment with classroom layout and pedagogy and collect data
Use multiple survey methods to determine student preferences on various topicsCorrelate results with NSSE dataSlide5
Participants
Learning Teaching Center Faculty Development Committee
Provost’s OfficeSchool of Education FacultyMolly Schaller and Sawyer HunleyLibrariesSlide6
Why the Library
Largest non-classroom learning space on campus (117,000 square feet)
Opened in 1972 – decisions needed on renovation or new constructionQuestions about the need for a library and computer labHow much use are we really experiencing and what are the students doing when they are there?What is the mix between individual and group work?Slide7
Video Project
Initial project called for analysis of entire building – baselineLibrary opened at 7:45 a.m. and closed at 2:00 a.m.
Began filming at 9:15 a.m. and last period began at 12:15 a.m.Slide8
Preparation
Permission – Human Subjects CommitteeNotices – throughout the building about the project
Handouts explaining the projectSlide9
Logistics
Staffing, scheduling and trainingEquipment – cameras, batteries, memory cards
Procedures – where to get the camera, security, backing up dataSlide10
Decisions
What are we looking at?What is the layout of areas to be filmed?
How do the areas naturally break into zones?Where and when to start? What is the best routes and timingSlide11
Zones – What are you studying
Zones were determined by architecture
Windows, open spaces, enclosed by stacks, in a corner, etc.Secondary consideration was type of furnitureSigns were placed throughout the building and each zone number was filmed upon entering the zoneSlide12
Output
Over 90 segments of tape – some lasting about 15 minutes, others closer to 30-35 minutesVariety of styles used – from slow and steady with lots of zooming to race walk through the areaSlide13
Video SampleSlide14
Data Analysis Instrument
Time
Floor and Zone #GenderSingle or Multi TaskAcademic or Other focusWith food or beverage
Alone, or with one person or with more than one person
Very large table
4-6 person table
Round table
Study carrel
Soft furniture
At computer stationSlide15
Data Analysis
Converted video tapes to DVDAnalysis done by several people
Group training sessionLesson Learned – check work after someone completes 2 or 3 segmentsUsed paper check lists that were then entered into SPSS by administrative assistantRan crosstabs and other analyses
Not all trends ended up being statistically validSlide16
Other Considerations
Monday, November 08, 2004
Day of the Dead exhibit being taken down in the 1st floor gallery (zone 1).Training for other videographers going on during the 9:00 AM, noon, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM shifts.
People were still learning the zones and a few zone signs were missed.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Training during the 4:00 and 7:00 shifts
There were a few people observed getting up and moving out of camera range
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Training during the 9:00 and 5:00 shifts
A class was held in the Reference room between 2:00 and 3:00
Thursday, November 11, 2004
New exhibit is being installed in the gallery.
2:15 shift began to run out of tape. 1
st
floor was done with snapshots and not running video
Friday, November 12, 2004
New exhibit still being hung in gallery – gallery closed in afternoon
The tape for 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM includes the 7:00 - 8:00 PM shift (forgot to switch tape)
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Gallery closed - photography students hanging exhibit
Sunday, November 14
, 2004
Gallery closed - photography students hanging exhibitSlide17
Follow-up Projects
Continuing Requests for Group Spaces
No funds for building projects to create group roomsCould we change behavior by changing the furniture?Identified area on 1st floor where noise would not be an issue
Previous study indicated that most people who studied there studied alone
2 years later we evaluated that space againSlide18
First Photo Project
Much smaller area lent itself to still photographs
Long, narrow spaceBroke up the space into zones based on what could be captured by the cameraMarked photography locations with tapeNumbered the tape locationsAll the same permissions and preparation needed
Permissions, notices, staffing, equipment, batteries, training, etc.Slide19
SamplesSlide20
SamplesSlide21
SamplesSlide22
SamplesSlide23
Experiment
After collecting data we removed all existing furnitureReplaced old furniture
Movable tables of all shapes that could be used alone or pushed togetherMovable tablet arm chairs2 large boothsCoffee and end tables
Lots of movable white boards
Large, plasma TV with laptop cablesSlide24
Second Photo Project
Redid the still photography study
Establishing zones was more difficultThe furniture moved constantly Needed to take additional shots to be sure we could see all the furnitureStudied an additional area on the 2
nd
floor that had been the current periodical area and now was equipped for group computer projects and included other movable furnitureSlide25
Samples from Second Photo SurveySlide26Slide27Slide28Slide29Slide30Slide31Slide32
Challenges and Observations
Not counting people twiceIdentifying trends
Near outletsNear TV on certain nightsUse of white boards to create privacyUse of white boards for studyingSlide33
Lessons Learned
Plan aheadWalk through the route and know what you are measuring
Date and time stamp photosOrganize photos/videos when you transfer them from the memory cardsMake time to analyze the dataIf possible have one person analyze all the dataSlide34
Additional Information
More on the results of our photo studies:
Kathleen M. Webb, Molly A. Schaller, & Sawyer A. Hunley. "Measuring Library Space Use and Preferences: Charting a Path Toward Increased Engagement." portal: Libraries and the Academy, Volume 8, Number 4, October 2008, pp. 407-422.
An article which really helped us in our planning:
Virginia
E.Young
, “Can We Encourage Learning By Shaping Environment? Patterns of Seating Behavior in Undergraduates” (paper, Association of College and Research Libraries Conference, Charlotte, NC, 2003), 6.
The book was by the faculty members who developed the methodology:
Collier, J. & Collier, M. (1986). Visual anthropology: Photography as a research method. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico.Slide35
Questions?
Kathleen Webb
webb@udayton.edu