through the viewfinder: using photography to document library space use kathleen webb

Through the Viewfinder:Using Photography to Document Library Space Use

Kathleen Webb

BackgroundThe University of DaytonCatholic and MarianistApproximately 7000

undergraduates◦Residential – 96% live in University

housing all four years Developmental approach to living – from

traditional residence halls to single family houses

Primary Focus1. Developing a method for

assessing learning spaces – both classrooms and non-classroom spaces

2. Exploring relationship between learning and the characteristics of space

PlanPhotograph how the spaces were

being usedExperiment with classroom

layout and pedagogy and collect data

Use multiple survey methods to determine student preferences on various topics

Correlate results with NSSE data

ParticipantsLearning Teaching Center Faculty Development CommitteeProvost’s OfficeSchool of Education Faculty

◦Molly Schaller and Sawyer HunleyLibraries

Why the LibraryLargest 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 lab◦How 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?

Video ProjectInitial 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.

PreparationPermission – Human Subjects

CommitteeNotices – throughout the building

about the projectHandouts explaining the project

LogisticsStaffing, scheduling and trainingEquipment – cameras, batteries,

memory cardsProcedures – where to get the

camera, security, backing up data

DecisionsWhat 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 timing

Zones – What are you studyingZones were determined by

architecture Windows, open spaces, enclosed by

stacks, in a corner, etc. Secondary consideration was type of

furniture Signs were placed throughout the

building and each zone number was filmed upon entering the zone

OutputOver 90 segments of tape – some

lasting about 15 minutes, others closer to 30-35 minutes

Variety of styles used – from slow and steady with lots of zooming to race walk through the area

Video Sample

Data Analysis InstrumentTimeFloor and

Zone #GenderSingle or

Multi TaskAcademic

or Other focus

With food or beverage

Alone, or with one person or with more than one person

Very large table4-6 person tableRound tableStudy carrelSoft furnitureAt computer

station

Data AnalysisConverted video tapes to DVDAnalysis done by several people

◦Group training session Lesson Learned – check work after

someone completes 2 or 3 segments

◦Used paper check lists that were then entered into SPSS by administrative assistant

◦Ran crosstabs and other analyses Not all trends ended up being statistically

valid

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. 1st

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 exhibit

Follow-up ProjectsContinuing Requests for Group

Spaces◦No funds for building projects to create

group rooms◦Could 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 again

First Photo ProjectMuch smaller area lent itself to still

photographsLong, 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.

Samples

Samples

Samples

Samples

ExperimentAfter collecting data we removed

all existing furnitureReplaced old furniture

◦Movable tables of all shapes that could be used alone or pushed together

◦Movable tablet arm chairs◦2 large booths◦Coffee and end tables◦Lots of movable white boards◦Large, plasma TV with laptop cables

Second Photo ProjectRedid the still photography studyEstablishing zones was more difficult

◦The furniture moved constantly ◦Needed to take additional shots to be sure

we could see all the furnitureStudied an additional area on the 2nd

floor that had been the current periodical area and now was equipped for group computer projects and included other movable furniture

Samples from Second Photo Survey

Challenges and ObservationsNot counting people twiceIdentifying trends

◦Near outlets◦Near TV on certain nights◦Use of white boards to create privacy◦Use of white boards for studying

Lessons LearnedPlan aheadWalk through the route and know

what you are measuringDate and time stamp photosOrganize photos/videos when you

transfer them from the memory cards

Make time to analyze the dataIf possible have one person analyze

all the data

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.

Questions?

Kathleen Webbwebb@udayton.edu