Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users
Abstract Objective – This paper reports on a study which assessed the preferences and behaviors of overnight library users at a major state university. The findings were used to guide the design and improvement of overnight library resources and services, and the selection of a future overnight...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Alberta
2017-09-01
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| Series: | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/28945 |
| _version_ | 1818888159967051776 |
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| author | David Schwieder Laura I. Spears |
| author_facet | David Schwieder Laura I. Spears |
| author_sort | David Schwieder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract
Objective – This paper reports on a study which assessed the preferences and behaviors of overnight library users at a major state university. The findings were used to guide the design and improvement of overnight library resources and services, and the selection of a future overnight library site.
Methods – A multi-method design used descriptive and correlational statistics to analyze data produced by a multi-sample survey of overnight library users. These statistical methods included rankings, percentages, and multiple regression.
Results – Results showed a strong consistency across statistical methods and samples. Overnight library users consistently prioritized facilities like power outlets for electronic devices, and group and quiet study spaces, and placed far less emphasis on assistance from library staff.
Conclusions – By employing more advanced statistical and sampling procedures than had been found in previous research, this paper strengthens the validity of findings on overnight user preferences and behaviors. The multi-method research design can also serve to guide future work in this area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:48:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6bd6a1de6bed49e98fc390daa6061709 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1715-720X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:48:42Z |
| publishDate | 2017-09-01 |
| publisher | University of Alberta |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-6bd6a1de6bed49e98fc390daa60617092022-12-21T20:13:35ZengUniversity of AlbertaEvidence Based Library and Information Practice1715-720X2017-09-0112310.18438/B8BM1F19734Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library UsersDavid Schwieder0Laura I. Spears1University of FloridaUniversity of FloridaAbstract Objective – This paper reports on a study which assessed the preferences and behaviors of overnight library users at a major state university. The findings were used to guide the design and improvement of overnight library resources and services, and the selection of a future overnight library site. Methods – A multi-method design used descriptive and correlational statistics to analyze data produced by a multi-sample survey of overnight library users. These statistical methods included rankings, percentages, and multiple regression. Results – Results showed a strong consistency across statistical methods and samples. Overnight library users consistently prioritized facilities like power outlets for electronic devices, and group and quiet study spaces, and placed far less emphasis on assistance from library staff. Conclusions – By employing more advanced statistical and sampling procedures than had been found in previous research, this paper strengthens the validity of findings on overnight user preferences and behaviors. The multi-method research design can also serve to guide future work in this area.https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/28945academic librarianshipuser behaviorovernightmultimethodology |
| spellingShingle | David Schwieder Laura I. Spears Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users Evidence Based Library and Information Practice academic librarianship user behavior overnight multimethodology |
| title | Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users |
| title_full | Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users |
| title_fullStr | Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users |
| title_full_unstemmed | Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users |
| title_short | Studying the Night Shift: A Multi-method Analysis of Overnight Academic Library Users |
| title_sort | studying the night shift a multi method analysis of overnight academic library users |
| topic | academic librarianship user behavior overnight multimethodology |
| url | https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/28945 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davidschwieder studyingthenightshiftamultimethodanalysisofovernightacademiclibraryusers AT lauraispears studyingthenightshiftamultimethodanalysisofovernightacademiclibraryusers |