This workshop will facilitate participants’ design, analysis and application of library space assessment in any context. Based on the presenters’ experience examining use of, perceptions about and impact of library spaces in the academic life of students at multiple branches of the University of Florida Libraries, participants will: 

• View a presentation on library assessments conducted at the University of Florida.
• Identify their own library space assessment purposes and create the appropriate research team.
• Select and develop a study design and then share with a partner for review.
• View an excerpt of the design charrette application designed by graduate students in the Design graduate program.
• After reviewing analyses conducted by the presenters Consider appropriate analysis approaches and outline a codebook for qualitative analysis.
• Group brainstorm on presentation of findings to key stakeholders.

Participants will engage in developing the complete research process involved in conducting an assessment of library spaces with findings and recommendations that appeal to key campus stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• complete a preliminary study design for multi-method library assessment. 
• select appropriate analyses for multiple data collection methods.
• understand the use of design thinking in library space assessments.

Facilitators

Laura Spears, Director of Assessment, University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries.

Valrie Minson, Associate Dean of Academic Support Services, University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries

The presenters have assessed library space usage for multiple branches of the University of Florida Libraries, including assessment of the Marston Science Library for the Association of Research Libraries “Research Libraries Impact Framework” program.  This assessment, conducted in collaboration with academic faculty from the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning, won a 2024 Environmental Design Research Association CORE Certification honor.