Users’ Concerns and Expectations Regarding Space Qualities in Public Libraries

Abstract

This research explores the space qualities of public libraries in supporting the community functions specified in the PLA Initiatives & Projects published by the ALA Public Library Association (PLA) from users’ perspectives, in particular, digital literacy, family engagement, and fostering creative community connections. Each function was further examined against eight of the ten top qualities of good library space endorsed by IFLA. The survey questionnaire investigates to what extent the users pay attention to and satisfy with the space qualities associated with the community functions and the differences in between. The findings may help the public libraries understand users’ priorities, satisfaction, and improvements in need. The findings suggest that although the respondents reported general satisfaction with library services, they paid significantly more attention to family engagement. Moreover, among the space qualities, “environmental suitability” and “safety and security” received considerable attention among the respondents. Accordingly, this study proposes the following recommendations for public libraries: (1) accommodating caregivers’ needs in children’s areas; (2) expanding and enhancing wi-fi connections and mobile device charging outlets close to users’ seats; (3) increasing users’ awareness of two undermined functions—digital literacy and creative community connections—during information literacy education and library orientation sessions; and (4) optimizing the use of outdoor library space.

本研究自使用者角度探索公共圖書館實體空間是否能夠支持美國公共圖書館學會發表之〈公共圖書館倡議與計畫〉（PLA Initiatives & Projects）中相關於建築空間品質之社區功能，即數位素養、家庭參與以及助成創意性社群的連結三項功能，並針對每項功能分別以國際圖書館協會聯盟（International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, IFLA）著重之公共圖書館空間品質原則，檢視使用者對其在意與滿意程度以及其間的落差。冀公共圖書館可藉由瞭解入館使用者對於各功能的在意與滿意程度，加強對空間品質的實踐，進而增益其社會價值。相較於過去圖書館實體空間的相關研究，本研究以使用者的角度，考量公共圖書館社區功能的發揮，並根據研究結果提出公共圖書館實體空間規劃的具體建議及參考。