Brian Kenney

Research: A User Experience, Part Two

Next up is Drexel's Laurie Bonnici & FSU's Lynne Watson who looked at other places where college students engage in research--the third place, like coffee houses. This study was exploratory, based on qualitative data, and asked how student behavior was different in a library versus a coffee house. It was based on observation and a web-based survey.

Guess what? At the coffee house, consumption was the major activity, where at the library the computer was the major activity. At both, study was the second leading behavior. In both places the students were all wired up: iPod, phones, notebooks.

The students "looked the same" in both venues. As for generational considerations, the largest percentage were Millenials, or "digital natives."  The question is, can the coffee house replace the library for this generation? Is the idea of the library changing for these students. What is happening at the coffee house? Seventy-one percent went for food and drink; 28 percent were socializing, 27 percent were studying, three percent use library databases. Surprising, thought more would be doing that. But three percent also wanted help accessing information. Pitfalls with the coffee Noise (ambient noise, which is why they put on iPods!) and space (not enough of it.)

What is going on at the library? One, study; two, check out books and do research; then use the Internet, check out books and videos, then socialize. Reasons for not using the library Internet service? have a computer at home, take to long and you have to pay to print; library Internet is lousy; don't need it.

What about the library cafe? Little more than half move into the library, they just stayed in the cafe. And 30% get their coffee there and just leave.

Can the coffee house replace the library? Not really. They do some study there, but largely consume and socialize. It isn't a competition. Reasons for not using the library: everything is available online; there room is more comfortable, they like to purchase their behavior.

Why do college students choose alternate situations? Option to consume, socialize, and use more comfortable surroundings. Libraries feel "clinical." Use are for the most part similar. Increased digitization could change this usage in the future.

Finally, coffee shops may not really be "third places." Perhaps we need to look at historical trends. Coffee-shop managers actually call themselves as "the third place." One question to ask: is place really our mission, or should our efforts and money go into collecting and making accessible resources?

Posted by Brian Kenney on June 23, 2007 | Comments (0)