Space Planning: A Renovation Saga Involving Library Users

Abstract

From 2010 to 2012, librarians at the University of Florida Health Science Center Library (HSCL) used an online survey and focus groups to gather user input on preferences for an ideal library space. User input guided the HSCL's renovation plans and put a clear focus on enhancing technology, improving infrastructure, enabling group collaboration, and creating comfortable spaces. Additional communication with users during renovation was vital in ensuring continued usability of nonconstruction spaces and shared understanding of the construction timeline. While specific user suggestions are particular to the HSCL, overall themes and methods for eliciting input will be useful to other libraries undergoing space planning.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication
• learning spaces
• library as place
• library planning
• library spaces
• renovation
• user input

Acknowledgments

This article is based in part on a poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association, Seattle, Washington, May 21, 2012.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hannah F. Norton

Hannah F. Norton, MSIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Reference & Liaison Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, P.O. Bo×100206, Gainesville, FL 32610;

Linda C. Butson

Linda C. Butson, MLn, AHIP ([email protected]) is Consumer Health & Community Outreach Librarian, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, P.O. Bo×100206, Gainesville, FL 32610;

Michele R. Tennant

Michele R. Tennant, PhD, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Assistant Director, Biomedical and Health Information Services, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries and Bioinformatics Librarian, University of Florida Genetics Institute, P.O. Bo×103610, Gainesville, FL 32610;

Cecilia E. Botero

Cecilia E. Botero, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Associate Dean & Fackler Director, University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries, P.O. Bo×100206, Gainesville, FL 32610.