NYU Graduate Student Academic &

Research Experience

ARL Fall ForumLucinda Covert-Vail & Carol A. Mandel

12 October 2007

21st Century Library for Faculty and Graduate Student Research

• Focus on the research environment• Conversations across 25 disciplines

– 65 interviews with faculty– focus groups with graduate students

• Literature reviews• Team reviews (faculty, administrators, librarians)• Idea and Inspiration Book (tool for thinking about the

libraries)• Study conducted with the assistance of Katzenbach

Partners, LLC (KPL)• LibQUAL+

*

Conversations Probed…

• Rhythm of research– Preferred research and work environments– Information resources– Tools for thinking– Collaboration– Communication modes for disseminating research

• Tools for teaching• Role of the library• User experience

Key Dimensions of the Graduate Student’s Environment

• Scholars in training• Spaces and surroundings• Scholarly community /

interdisciplinarity• Discovery and access• Tools for teaching

Spaces & Surroundings

• “Early in my career, I spent a lot of time doing research. Now, later in my career, I need a lot more spaces for writing.” (Anthropology)

• “I like having wireless, multi-tasking, listening to music, and taking breaks.” (Education & Jewish Studies)

• “…it’s hard when the undergraduates next to you are flirting.” (Education)

Community

• “It can be very stimulating to feel like you are a part of a community of scholars.” (Anthropology)

• “Experiences that brought me in closer contact with others who are doing similar work would be useful.” (Humanities)

• “My research is very multi-disciplinary and far-reaching. I have had to stretch and learn about finance and banking, areas in which I had very little experience and expertise.” (Humanities)

Findings

• Desire to feel part of intellectually stimulating and energizing communities

• Places to interact, both intentionally and serendipitously – “neutral” spaces

• Complexity of disciplines, interdisciplinarity• Tools and connectors for interaction• Value of behavioral aspects of user

experience

Discovery• “50 percent of my library use involves the virtual tools

like data searches & downloading services…I generally don’t linger in the library – I get the information I need and leave.” (Politics)

• “There’s a gap between technological innovation…and my knowledge and skills in accessing it. I’m constantly worried that I’m missing something.” (Humanities)

• “I use CatNYP, BobCat and others to make sure that I’m getting the broadest perspective.” (History)

• “I didn’t realize there was a librarian for the business collection – I have struggled to find the right resources & would welcome help in the area.” (Humanities)

Findings

• Universal dependence on virtual tools• Personal control• Personalization• Convenience, efficiency, fluidity, transparency• Assistance – lack of awareness about services,

inexperience with sources, research strategies• Expectation/desire to access physical collections and

tools for thinking in different ways, dissatisfaction with tools

• Changing perception of discovery tools

Tools for Teaching

• “It seems like it will be hard to plan the syllabus, especially because it requires you to break out of your current research. I will probably rely on past syllabi as inspirations for the one I am creating.” (History)

• “I try to put together readers that minimize the costs for students.” (Sociology)

Findings

• First time course development

• Pushed beyond comfort level

• Increased reliance on primary sources

• Limited awareness of library/university support services

• Reluctance to approach faculty advisors

Strategic Implications

• Create more spaces and mechanisms for inspiration

• Enable collaboration and connections within and across disparate disciplines

• Make the discovery, access and delivery process more efficient and more powerful

• Expand services beyond traditional conceptions of the library

• Rebrand the expectation of “library”

New York University Libraries

Lucinda Covert-Vail Carol A. Mandellcv@nyu.edu carol.mandel@nyu.edu

NYU 21st Century Library Project: Designing a Research Library of the Future for New York University. Report of a Study of Faculty and Graduate Student Needs for Research and Teachinghttp://www.library.nyu.edu/about/KPLReport.pdf