Full Text Article: “This Is Our Library, and It’s a Pretty Cool Place: A User-Centered Study of Public Library YA Spaces”

The following article was recently published by Public Library Quarterly.  We’re sharing a copy of the article made available by one of the co-authors for free. The article is also for sale via the PLQ web site.
Title
This Is Our Library, and It’s a Pretty Cool Place: A User-Centered Study of Public Library YA Spaces
Authors
Denise E. Agosto
Drexel University
Jonathan P. Bell
San Jose State University
Anthony Bernier
San Jose State University
Meghann Kuhlmann
San Jose State University
Source
Public Library Quarterly 34.1 (2015)
via SelectedWorks of Jonathan P. Bell
Abstract

This study sought to collect data from teens and librarians about their preferences and recommendations for the effective design of physical library spaces for teens. Librarians and teens at twenty-two U.S. public libraries filmed narrated video tours of their young adult (YA) public library spaces. The researchers used qualitative content analysis techniques to analyze the video data and to develop a framework for guiding the design of effective YA public library spaces. In addition to providing specific recommendations for user-centered YA library space design, this study highlights the need for continued user input into the design and maintenance of YA public library spaces as teens’ needs evolve and vary across time and from community to community.

Direct to Full Text Article (24 pages; PDF)

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