Survey Of Academic Library Plans For Group Work Rooms And Spaces PDF Download

This study - the fifth in the series - examines how academic libraries are altering their spaces and space allocation to meet the demands of the pandemic era and its aftermath. Based on data from 59 academic libraries, the 155-page comprehensive report presents unique data on library plans for space for workstations, special collections, the stacks, multimedia collections, classroom space, information commons, group workrooms, information technology centers, storage and even accessible roof space, cafes and outdoor spaces. The study provides a highly detailed map of how academic libraries plan to re-orient and allocate their spaces over the next few years. It also takes a detailed look at plans for air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems, as well as other aspects of the library building physical plant. Participants evaluate their existing systems and discuss future needs and timetables in this area.The study also presents opinions on the likely path of the library capital budget, construction and renovation plans, and advice for peers on innumerable issues related to the library physical space and building.In addition, the report gives detailed data on the number of library visitors for 2019-20 and 2020-21 and estimates for 2021-22. As the pandemic persists, this much needed time series data gives librarians a sense of how fast their peers expect patrons to return to the library building, and what services they will use.Data in the report is broken out by size, type and tuition level of the colleges, and by other useful variables. Just a few of the report's many findings are that:Only 34% of libraries sampled expect no significant changes in how they use library stacks' space.5.1% of libraries sampled use the library roof for solar power production.21% of public college libraries sampled planned to increase access to outdoor space adjacent to the library.53% of research library participants felt that space reserved for use by library staff would decrease over the next few years.30.5% of community colleges felt that they would increase the amount of space used for fixed computer workstations over the next few years.