Survey on Libraries furniture and spaces

As we renovate and refurnish areas throughout the Libraries, we want to ensure that our spaces support student success. In February 2023, we surveyed users across the Libraries (including the Hunt and Hill Libraries and the three branch libraries), asking about availability of seating, the need for access to power outlets, and furniture usage and preferences. We received 231 completed surveys, 90% of which were from users that visit one of our library locations at least once a week.

Across the Libraries, 72% of survey participants reported that the spaces and furniture met their needs either “all of the time” or “most of the time.” There were no responses for “never” and only 4% for “not much.” 

Results indicated that each library has a user base with distinct needs and preferences, particularly in the types of furniture they use and want.

Conclusions

Across the Libraries:

• Across the Libraries, 82% of survey participants “always” need power outlets, so any changes to seating will have limited value if power outlets are not easily accessible.
• The Hunt and Natural Resources Libraries have significant demand for higher seat counts.
• At the Hill, Hunt, and Veterinary Medicine Libraries, users are not always finding their preferred seating, suggesting that rebalancing the types of furniture and spaces available would benefit Libraries users.
• The Hunt and Hill Libraries have too much lounge furniture. Lounge furniture is often perceived negatively due to issues of comfort, usability, and oversupply. This sentiment is present at Hill but is much more prominent at Hunt. Being aware of this, the Libraries recently replaced lounge seating with study tables on the second, third, and fourth floors of the Hunt Library and added new carrels on the second floor. 

At the Hill Library:

• Users of the Hill Library value quiet and privacy, with comments asking for these types of spaces and for furniture that provides barriers. Seventy percent of users reported the study rooms as among their most-used spaces, followed by 53% for carrels.
• Users of the Hill Library indicated that they frequently use the Brody-style carrels on floors 4–9 and would like to see more of them. 

At the Hunt Library:

• The Hunt Library continues to see demand for group spaces. Seventy-eight percent of users considered study rooms among their most-used spaces, and 59% wanted to see more large tables. Users of the Hunt Library expressed the need for collaborative spaces more consistently than at any other library.
• The Hunt Library has a surplus of small tables which are viewed as ineffective for the activities of users, often due to a lack of surface area or height.

At the branch libraries:

• Users of the Natural Resources Library expressed the highest demand for a limited number of seats, with only 13% responding that they’re always able to find their preferred seating. Although individual and large tables are the most wanted, there’s interest in a wide range of furniture options.
• At the Veterinary Medicine Library, users asked about the availability of seating answered “yes, but not the type I was looking for” 58% of the time, more than any other library. This didn’t impact overall satisfaction, as 90% found that library furniture and spaces meet their needs “all of the time” or “most of the time.” Users would like to see an increased proportion of beanbag chairs, workstations, and group and individual study rooms.
• Users of the Design Library appreciate the calm environment and appear to be among the most satisfied with existing spaces and furniture, with 78% always finding the seat they were looking for. Users expressed interest in adding semi-enclosed pods and a variety of tables.