Embedded Files
Those who indicated that they've had a negative experience with the social climate in the library were given a chance to explain their ratings; 177 respondents did so. These are the issues they raised:
More meeting and study spaces needed: 16%
“I think having more private spaces would be nice.”
“I think the library can be very daunting and the study spaces aren't clearly labeled or particularly comfortable.”
“I have found the library to be incredibly crowded.”
“In regards to safety, the library remains unlocked to the public during the daytime and people who are not affiliated with the university often visit the library. Some of the people who visit the library have harassed students with numerous types of remarks among homophobia and racism.”
Buildings are confusing to navigate: 12%
Buildings dirty, dusty, dim, old, gross: 10%
Concerns about safety: 10%
“There are school shootings on college campuses all the time and I almost never study at the library because it feels like anyone can just walk in.”
“There are darkened areas around the library, which someone could hide in.”
“It might simply be due to the location, but I have been harassed by drunk men while leaving the UGLI, and my friends have heard concerns of being stalked/followed by a student taking pictures and bothering East Asian women around the UGLI last year.”
Feel like I’m unwelcome or don’t belong in library: 10%
General positive comment: 9%
Want more warmth, attentiveness, helpfulness from library employees: 6%
Space or patrons too loud/distracting: 5%
Those who had encountered physical barriers in the library were given a chance to describe their experiences; 440 respondents did so. These are the issues they raised:
Structural barriers in buildings: 66%
Bathrooms
“There’s just not enough restrooms. Stalls are always full and it’s hard to actually find one to use.”
“One of my main reasons for leaving the library is when I have to use the restroom, because I can’t find one I’m comfortable using.”
“ The library bathrooms on the 2nd floor and beyond were often overly occupied, dirty, understocked, and unkept.”
Doors
“The Hatcher south entrance is really awkward. The doors are heavy, double, and feel narrow. Not the easiest when carrying a stack of books.”
“I have had some difficulty opening doors in Shapiro. I have to really struggle to get a good grip on it to pull it open.”
“The doors are very heavy and hard to open.”
Elevators
“Elevators are down frequently.”
“Sometimes it is difficult for me to go up the stairs especially when the elevator is very busy. It would be nice if there were more elevators.”
“Could use improvements to signage in elevators and once you depart the elevator indicating what floor you are on.”
Entrances
“I've found the steps can be very slippery in wet/cold weather.”
“The entrance to Shapiro is confusing and congested. The entrance into Hatcher is also confusing but in an opposite desolate way.”
Ramp issues
“The Hatcher library entrance ramp is not accessible, and people with disabilities have to navigate to the south part of the building to enter.”
“Ramps are too steep.”
Lack of meeting spaces
“A lot of the spaces are completely full around five pm.”
Stairs
“Steps are scary for older people. Need less steps or ways around them.”
“The stairs in the stacks are difficult. I haven't figured out how to avoid them with elevators.”
“I need to use elevators-not stairs. The stairs are steep and very iffy to use.”
Challenges in stacks/shelves
“In the stacks in Hatcher, a step stool blocked the aisleway, except there was one in almost every aisleway and they were too wide to walk past.”
“Spaces between book aisles are tight.”
“Passageways are very narrow and lighting is not the best.”
External barriers around library buildings: 28%
Construction
“The construction on the north entrance of Hatcher makes it difficult to enter and exit.”
“The Duderstadt library is not very accessible from Bonisteel, particularly during frequent construction events.”
Parking
“There are not enough handicapped parking spaces. When there aren’t any left, I am unable to attend my meetings.”
“Sometimes I don't go to the library because parking is so far away from the entrance and I can't walk on the ice during the winter.”
Sensory issues: 26%
Cleanliness
“Some bathrooms are just disgusting, and I usually walk right back out.”
“Need cleaning wipes located in every area.”
Feeling cramped
"Hard with fractured elbow to move around with so many small cramped spaces."
"I have a baby so sometime I need to push a stroller in the library and it's not a very friendly space for stroller."
Lighting
"The restrooms in Hatcher are very tight spaces that are also very darkly lit."
"It's hard to find stools to get to the top shelves of the library stacks, and it can be dark and difficult to see."
Noise levels
"Cannot find a quiet place to sit."
Crowded spaces
"It was sometimes difficult to find an open computer. May students use desks but not the computers at the desks, which is frustrating for those who do not have computers (like myself)."
"When there are no desks available the rest of the furniture does not accommodate use of laptop or desk space at all."
Issues with furniture (carrels, desks, tables, seating): 23%
"Chairs don’t provide proper support for people with back and neck issues."
"Many chairs are poorly designed for larger bodies."
"I have chronic pain from a spinal deformity, and sometimes the chairs and low tables in library spaces can aggravate that."
Wayfinding/Navigation issues: 17%
"Some braille labels are incorrect or difficult to find/not there."
"It felt like a puzzle trying to go to the bathroom."
" Finding the locations of meetings was challenging."
"Unclear signage."
"I have a vision impairment, and often the text on signage utilizes low-contrast colors which can (in some cases) impact legibility."
Technology barriers: 10%
Issues with computer accessibility, computer functionality, printer functionality, etc.
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