IASL Research Abstracts

IASL Research Abstracts: 164

Findings: Most students prefer sitting in the centre area of the library, while choosing mostly to sit in places that enable them to maintain territorial control. Many students sit in groups but some elect to define their private space through body position, furniture arrangement, and placement of personal belongings.

Abstract: This study combines qualitative (observation and interviews) and quantitative (questionnaires) methods to examine the territorial behavior of students and the implications of the internal library space for students. Territorial behavior was observed in where students decided to sit and how they used the library furniture. Library planners and librarians must be aware of these conflicting needs in order to adapt the design to the behaviors typical of the groups that use the library. See:

Shoham, S. and Shemer-Shalman, Z. (2005). The educational aspect of school libraries' design and the students' territorial behaviour. In S. Lee, P. Warning, D. Singh, E. Howe, L. Farmer and S. Hughes (Eds.) IASL Reports 2005: Information leadership in a culture of change. Erie, PA: International Association of School Librarianship.

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