| The goal of this study is to better understand how patrons are occupying and using spaces in a small academic library. This research is meant to help with future design of library spaces, and to help researchers and librarians to understand some of the needs and issues that library patrons face in small academic library settings. To enable visualization of the occupied spaces, GIS (Geographic Information System) technology was used to visualize the spaces for a better understanding of library usage. Library patron questionnaires were also performed to better understand the needs and preferences of individuals using spaces in a small academic library. Through an analysis of the occupancy of library spaces with these visualization techniques and a questionnaire to assess patrons' needs and attitudes on the usefulness of the library spaces, a picture of these patrons' information behaviours in the context of physical space becomes clear. |
