Riad Lemhachheche

Exploring the OSU library

An ethnomethodological observation ( Human Computer Interaction class) by Riad Lemhachheche

Architecture and Space

Here are some of the elements that constitutes the Oregon State University Valley Library structure:

We can observe than around half of the spaces offered by the library are present on the 2nd floor, where most people enter the library. The more general areas of the library compose the main floor while the more specialized activities are scattered on the other floors. This is confirmed by the observation of the occupancy of the different floors. While the main floor is crowded during "business" hours (Monday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm) with most of the computers desks and tables being occupied, the other floors are quieter and see less food traffic.

Main Floor (2nd floor)

Information Commons - Computer Desk

Any general information search can be conducted nearly exclusively on the main floor using the online catalog, the reference shelf, the information desk, the newspaper and multimedia collection and the Information Commons. The Information Commons is used to search the OSU Oasis Online Catalog and the Electonic resource catalogues but can also been seen as acomputer lab for individual work and web browsing. Indeed, all the computers of the Information Commons are equipped with web browsers (only tool needed for most of the searches), work productivity suite (text, spreadsheets, presentation) and an access to the university personal online storage (ONID folder).

Support to the activity is provided by the Information Desk for help on searching and retrieving materials, while the circulation desk is in charge of managing the check-in and check-out of materials (books, laptop computer, multimedia items,...)

Information desk

Circulation Desk

Digital and paper copies can be made at the Copy center next to the Information Commons.

Printing has also a separate space, along with a supply table

Collaborative Learning Center

The Collaborative Learning Center is a separate space located in the back of the main floor.

This center is separated from the rest of the floor by panes and is organized differently. On the left, a series of desks is dedicated to the administration of various services provided by the center and signup information. The service provided include science tutoring, writing center and group study learning room.

In the middle of the space, tables are reserved for group study, some of them equipped with collaborative computers. At the right, tables are available for study group also and whiteboards are positioned next to them.

Whiteboard and table for group work

In the back of the center, rooms are available upon reservation with table, whiteboard and computer for group sessions.

Collaborative study room

The library as a social space

The Library is one of the most well know buiding on campus and serves as a social gathering and meeting space. First of all, the Information Commons is used as a computing facility and compete with the Milne Computer Lab. On a typical day, it is not uncommon to see all the computers of the Information Commons in use while the Milne Computer Lab is not at full capacity. The location of the Information Commons on the main floor of the library make it a more social space to meet with friends and work on homework and assignments. It is not rare to see more than one person occupying a desk even if the design does not make it optimal.

Information Commons - Computer Desk

This week, the library set up a new panel to inform its patron about printing jobs and availability of computers in both the Information Commons and the Milne Computer Lab.

Information Display on printing and computing resources

The library is not only the primary space to go for computing resources. It also support group study and social gatherings. After entering the library, patrons can check the meeting board to know where their study group or friends are located in the library.

Meeting board

The library also offers open spaces and study spaces for discussion and group study. Study and research rooms are a popular option and can be checked out if available.

Open study space

The library coffee shop, Java II, is located on the 1st floor and faces a giant bulletin board.

Java II coffee shop

The most popular bulltin board on campus, next to Java II

Objects

Here is a list of some of the common objects found at the OSU Valley Library

Among the objects, a lot of them are placed to inform and orient the patrons. As the library is a large and complex space (6 floors and more than 1.5 million items in the collection), there is a real need to support navigation and orientation of the patrons through signalization.

Navigational Signs

The library has a complex layout different from each floor. As each floor provides diffent services, the patron has the opportunity to search for the location matching the resource or service he/she is looking for.

Organizational maps of the library as seen from the main entrance

A floor (especially the main floor) is divided into spaces fulfilling a specialized function. Large signs are placed above the spaces to inform the patron of the service provided by the space.

Directional signs on both side of the hallway

A sign marking the newspapers and international news location

Channel lineup in international news TV room

Upon arrival at a floor from the elevator , a patron will face a map of the floor.

Map of the 1st floor

Regulation Signs

Also, the library serves the 19,000 students of Oregon State University plus the faculty and staff. The 50,000 residents of Corvallis as well as anybody living in Linn and Benton County can have access to most of the library resources. As the population to serve is large, numerous signs are placed to remind everybody of the rules and regulations in place in the library.

Food and Drink policy sign

Acceptable use guidelines of the Information Commons computers

Food and Drink policy sign

Art objects

The library also displays art in its hallway and open spaces.

Paintings

The Cow

Technology

The library uses a large amount of technologies to serve its patrons. Computers are available in the Information commons and in all the floors of the building with access to the internet, the OSU OASIS Online Catalog and various electronic reference catalogs, to which the library is suscribed. The patron can also choose to checkout a wireless laptop at the Circulation Desk.
All the physical resources available within the library are organized using a notation system, the Library of Congress classification system.

Books ordered on the shelf according to the Library of Congress classification

People

The library is a rich environment in terms of activities that can be performed. In consequence , there is a large number of different users that coexist in the space. Students form the largest part of the patrons of the library since the library is located on an university campus. However, it is difficult to identify clearly users in terms of activity performed. A large number of the resources provided by the library are now provided in elctronic form and therefore do not require anything else than a computer with the proper credentials associated.

indeed, a graduate student doing research can access articles online through the OSU catalog and the electronic reference library to which the library suscribed. This student may sit right next to an undergraduate student using the word processing software installed on the machine in the Information Commons to finish a assignment for which no specific resources of the library may have been used. Another student may be surfing the Internet and use the Information Commons has a generic purpose computer lab. This activity can also be performed by a student on another floor who has checkout a wireless laptop.

Community members can access the Internet, search in the catalog or check in and out resources the same way students, faculty and staff do.

We observe that most of the patrons entering the library go directly to the Information Commons. most of the people leaving the Information Commons leave the library directly.

The library staff is in charge of informing and helping the patrons. Some members are maintaning the collection by reshielving and adding new items to the library catalog. Guides also provides patrons with walking tours of the library.

Relationships & Visitor Interactions

The library is physically organized around the Library of Congress classification with the floor plan being divided according to sections of the classification. The technology, book classification, has a direct impact on the architecture of the library.

Library floor plan organized around the Library of Congress (LC) classification

This relationship is also visible in the OASIS online catalog where the location of a physical resource is described through a Call Number matching the LC classification and therefore the physical location.

Online Catalog resources are identified by their Call Number

This has also an impact of the visual markings and clue provided to the patrons while searching for the resource.

2 levels of visual signs matching the library classification.

The physical location of a resource is also related to its use. Reference books like encyclopedias and dictionaries are located right next to the information commons on the main floor. this can indicate that these reference materials are popular and therefore placed closer to where most of the patrons are.

Reference shelves separated from the rest of the stacks

Also, older references like journals and magazines from before 1990 are less likely to be accessed. They are located in compact shelves where they occupy less of the library precious physical space.

Compact Shelves on the 1st Floor

Magazines and scientific journals are placed in separate shelves from books

Technology and objects are also closely inter-related in the Collaborative Learning Center (CLC). Special computers are setup to enable users to have a dual display for a single computer. This enables 2 users to work on the same project while having an individual desk space.

Collaborative Workstations in the CLC