Resources

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General Resources on User Research

The following resources provide useful overviews of methodologies for learning more about user needs:

Asher, A. and Miller, S. So You Want to Do Anthropology in Your Library? or A Practical Guide to Ethnographic Research in Academic Libraries. Ethnographic Research in Illinois Academic Libraries (ERIAL). Chicago.
Foster, N., & Gibbons, S. (Eds.). (2007). Studying students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester. Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries.
Horowitz, L. (2009). “Assessing Library Services: A Practical Guide for the Nonexpert”, Library Leadership & Management, vol. 23, issue 4.
Stuart, C. (2008, October). ARL Learning Space Pre-Programming Tool Kit

General Resources to Learn About Learning and Space Trends

When planning goals for your space, consult your institutional strategic plan and talk with campus experts in planning and analysis, instructional design, and teaching and learning. The following resources provide a broad perspective on national trends:

ECAR – Research Publications. ECAR Research Publications
NSSE. National Survey of Student Engagement.
Project Kaleidoscope. PKLA Learning Spaces Collaboratory: References and Web Links – many resources focused on classroom design, but also some content on informal learning spaces.

Photo Interviews (Photo Diary)

Foster, N., & Gibbons, S. (Eds.). (2007). Studying students: The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester. Chicago, IL: Association of College and Research Libraries.
Gabridge, T., Gaskell, M., & Stout, A. (2008). Information seeking through students’ eyes: The MIT photo diary study. College and Research Libraries, 510-522.

Focus Groups

Krueger, R.A. (2002). Designing and conducting focus group interviews. St. Paul: University of Minnesota.
Morgan, D. L. and Krueger, R.A. (1998). The Focus Group Kit. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Personas