Wayfinding in the Library
Wayfinding in the Library
Embedded Files
Improving how students find library resources
Improving how students find library resources
Overview
There was grant money to revitalize the 2nd floor of the library. It was to be a one-stop hub for students which would be different than the other parts of the library. We decided to try to improve the way students navigate these other parts (7 floors), making it easier for them to find resources. The University of Texas at Arlington has three libraries. This study was done in the Main Library, the largest. A total of 50 students participated.
Goals
Improve signage in the library.
Understand how students naturally navigate the library.
Understand why resources are easy or hard to find in the library.
How It Was Done
Pre and Post Surveys
Shadowing
Students responded to questions before and after their journeys on paper. Questions pertained to their perceived ease and/or difficulty of finding resources in the library.
I wanted to compare student's perceived confidence in finding resources to how they actually find resources.
Students were provided with paper listing four resources in the library. There were a total of sixteen resources to find. Only four at a time were presented to student participants to not overwhelm them. Resources included The Writing Center, printers, and Special Collections.
Students were followed using a printout of the floor plan to write notes to their responses about directional decision-making, documenting directions taken, and stops they made on their journey.
These journeys were also timed.
The red hectogons show where students stopped and paused ("bump points") on their journey.
The above picture shows the "bump points" students made on the first floor of the Main Library. Most students paused at intersections where a change in direction occurred and where signage was present.
What Was Discovered
- Students have a hard time finding resources in the library.
- Some signage is confusing.
- Students looked up for signage.
Student Search Preferences
Student Search Preferences
19%
19%
Use Signage
50%
50%
Explore
28%
28%
Ask
Student Responses
Student Responses
The other 4% of student search preferences included using the website, blank, or unreadable responses.
The other 4% of student search preferences included using the website, blank, or unreadable responses.
Hard to find resources:
Hard to find resources:
- "No signs or maps"
- "Check-in sign says check-out. Thought it was different."
- "Had to check the directory only available on the first floor."
Easy to find resources:
- "In plain sight."
- "I've used it before."
- "Had to check the directory only available on the first floor."
- "Clear signs."
Next Steps
Add clear signage
Add clear signage
This will support all students' search preferences.
Add signage at the "bump points"
Add signage at the "bump points"
This will create directional support where students pause or people can be there to help.
Experiement with different types of signage
Experiement with different types of signage
Consistency will help navigation. The library had various signs in various places for direction, orientation, and identification.
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