This paper investigated how libraries can support the transition of first-year international undergraduate students to a large research university. The research explored the students' use of libraries, their use of information to learn, and their academic and information literacy learning needs. The methods were a survey (with 135 responses) and…

This article reports research into the perceptions and predictions of academic librarians regarding the future role and development of e-books, and e-book collections and services. A number of recent studies reported in the literature review indicate increasing interest in e-books. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 academic…

Georgia Tech Library has undergone two learning space renovations in the past six years, with a third in 2009. This work is grounded in techniques that elicit user input. Library staff hope one day to completely renovate the entire 220,000-square-foot main library facility. Until that day arrives, library staff are making incremental improvements…

The Grace Doherty Library (Centre College, Danville, Kentucky) is a library that "swings," being so designed that a substantial part of its space is used alternately for classroom purposes during the day and for library reading-study space in the peak evening hours. (Author)

A critique of the new Goddard Library at Clark University (Worcester, Massachusetts). (JB)

The importance of effective utilization of resources in planning university libraries is emphasized. (PF)

When planning a library facility and estimating user seating space, the librarian must consider how many seats to provide and how much space is needed for each seat. In considering the number of seats, one must take into account the population served, collection size, and the kind of use made of the library. For example, at the State University of…

An investigation into the relationship between the architectural environment of a room and the patterns of seating preferences exhibited by library users revealed that readers locate themselves in order to avoid others and that the seat selected by the first person affected the choices of those who entered later. (8 references) (Author/SJ)

The reference desk at Indiana State University's (ISU) library offers an excellent view of student work areas on the first floor. From this vantage point, the reference librarians noticed students, especially in the evening and on weekends, huddled together in small groups, with one student at the keyboard of a laptop or desktop computer. The…

Discusses the construction of a high density, mobile shelving storage facility addition to the General Library at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. Building criteria, space considerations, and the utilization of mobile storage technology are noted. Illustrative material is provided. (EJS)

The innovative designs of three libraries are described: the Tempe (Arizona) Public Library, which emphasizes services for children and students; an underground library at Park College, Missouri; and a public library located in the Vancouver (Washington) Mall. The fourth article describes the work going on to restore the Los Angeles (California)…

University libraries, and specifically the University of South Florida (USF) Library, are used for many different purposes that go beyond traditional library services. Activities users engage in while in the library should factor into decisions regarding the allocation of library space or expenditure of resources. The results of this survey…

While the majority of libraries continue to use cards as their primary medium for public catalogs, microform catalogs are gaining popularity because they are more economical, and some libraries may soon be using cathode ray tube (CRT) terminals for displaying catalog data. No definitive information prescribing the space and equipment needs for…

In fall of 1988, the William Jasper Kerr Library at Oregon State University combined its separate science/technology and social science/humanities reference areas. One year later, the Reference Arrangement Task Force was appointed to evaluate the effectiveness of the new configuration. The Task Force modelled the area with drawings and balsa…

Outlines procedures and policies carried out by Simon Fraser University (SFU) in the microform conversion program initiated due to imminent space problems. Discussion covers background, space situation at SFU (seating, shelving), financial support for program, involvement of University Microfilms International and a book dealer, and conclusions.…