Social Learning Spaces in the Li Ka Shing Library

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Yeo & Rindra • Social Learning Spaces in Li Ka Shing LibraryWe asked our users how they were usingthe CSA. From the responses in Table 6,we can see that the social interaction aspectwas strong (52%) when we combinegroup discussion, group study and socialise.The use of the CSA for self study was44% as reported by our users.Table 6: Collaborative Study Area UseA nswer OptionsResponse %GroupDiscussion24. 3GroupStudy23. 0SelfStudy43. 9Socialise4. 8Others3. 9Totalrespondents285We also asked the students what improvementsthey would like to see at CSA. Therewere 180 comments, of which 51% wason furniture, 16% noise levels, 13% overcrowding,11% usage of the space, 8%equipment and facilities.Out of the 92 comments on furniture, 74%were positive in asking for more of suchareas, more of such tables and seating.Some students suggested implementingbooking of the open project spaces, controlof usage, not allowing reservation, andmany students reported difficulty in findingan available space in CSA. These commentsthough negative from the userperspective, meant that the space washeavily utilized by our users.“Sweeping” the LibraryAn interesting survey of two public librariesin Canada was done using a “seatingsweeps method” where users were observedand data collected on the type ofuser, their activities and location where theactivities were carried out. They used the“seating sweeps method” to verify userresponses in previous surveys. They foundthat their users were reading (51%–64%),writing (18%–24%), talking (12%–20%),and using the computer (13%-15%).(Given & Leckie, 2003, p. 381)Table 7: Activities by Level in Li Ka Shing LibraryNumberLocationL2L3L4L5PercentTotal L2L3L4L5Tota lNoof users 232220522840833804728.8625.5035.2910.35Reading1016567958326286743.7627.6333.7339.1435.63Writing339438704167164814.6021.3524.7920.0520.48Talking183179235476447.888.728.275.648.00Grpdiscussion 336455467220147814.4722.1716.4426.4118.37Usecomputer 41423852968124917.8311.6018.638.1615.52Others927656132373.963.701.971.562.95Singapore Journal of Library & Information Management • Volume 37 • 2008 55
Yeo & Rindra • Social Learning Spaces in Li Ka Shing LibraryTable 8: Activities by Area in Li Ka Shing LibraryLocationCSAR OLC SA%ROL%RatioCSA/RO LNoof users4127635100100Reading113275427.4336.070.76Writing3016187.2821.190.34Talking256196.078.110.75Groupdiscussion183129544.4216.962.62Uselaptop/ computer48134411.6517.600.66CSA = Collaborative Study Area project space & ROL = Rest of LibraryWe decided to use the method to see andverify the activities our users were engagingin the library, with a special focus onthe CSA. We conducted 2 “sweeps” a dayover 6 days in the first two weeks of April2008. Observations were staggered between11:30am to 7:00pm over the 6 days.We defined talking as a conversation betweentwo people and group discussion asa conversation between more than twopeople. Use of laptop and library computerwas counted when the user was observedto be using it.Looking at the data for the whole Libraryfor each activity, we had similar resultswith Given & Leckie (2003). We foundthat our users were reading (36%), writing(20%), group discussion (18%), talking(8%), using the computer (16%). Therewere some differences in the activitiespattern for the different levels. There wasless talking on Level 5 which is our quietestarea with more reading on Level 2 insideCourse Reserves, on Level 5 and onLevel 4 where we have carrels. There wasmore group discussion on Level 3, Level 4and Level 5 where we have project rooms.When we looked at the data for the CSAproject space and the data for the rest ofthe library (ROL), we got a different picture.The major activity at CSA was groupdiscussion (44%) which was 2.6 timesmore than the rest of the library as shownin Table 8.We compared the “sweep” results in theCSA with the responses in the survey.There was a good match for group discussionand others, with over-reporting forself study and under-reporting by users forsocializing or talking as see in Table 9.Table 9: Use of CSA in Survey andSweepSurveyAnswerGroupdiscussion& GroupstudySelfstudyResponse%47.343.9SweepActivitiesGroupstudyReading& writingObserved%44.034.7Socialise4.8 Talking 6. 15 6 Singapore Journal of Library & Information Management • Volume 37 • 2008
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Social Learning Spaces in the Li Ka Shing Library

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