SPEC Kit 342: Next-Gen Learning Spaces · 173
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Space Requirements for Mann Library (excerpts)
Environmental Scan
In addition to the studies that we have conducted at Mann, library staff has also investigated innovations
in library spaces around the country. Two members of the Mann Learning Technologies Committee
visited several institutions-‐-‐Duke, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, University of Massachusetts at
Amherst, Emory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the showroom at Steelcase -‐-‐ this spring
to examine learning spaces in or attached to libraries, interview staff at these facilities, and gain ideas
about furniture and design. Staff members have also reviewed literature on library learning spaces to
help frame our ideas about the renovation.
Results from user studies and environmental scan
Analysis of the collected data for themes and patterns is ongoing and the findings are too detailed to
represent in full here (see Appendix A for more information}, but below are some preliminary common
themes.
In general for study spaces, our investigation uncovered the following patterns on students’ likes and
dislikes:
Likes Dislikes
● Different kinds of spaces needed for
different purposes
● Variety of comfortable furniture styles
and heights
● Well lit especially with natural light
windows
● Plenty of outlets
● Zoning for noise and quiet, differing
levels of privacy
● Quiet but can make noise without
distracting others
● Low traffic area few distractions
● Aesthetics: new/modern feel, color and
visual interest, openness, “library” feel
● Views and integration of nature/plants
● Has people being productive and
necessary resources
● Has computers and software
● Work tables with room to spread out
● Whiteboards
● Proximity to food and drink
● Available and not too far away from
home
● Too noisy or too quiet (which varies by
person and activity)
● Uncomfortable furniture (wrong height
for typing, too little space between
people, wooden/hard, dividers) or
furniture is too comfortable and
encourages sleep rather than studying
● No tables of appropriate height or
surface to work on
● Too open feels like people are staring
at you
● Too full of people
● Too distracting high traffic too social
● Bad lighting, dark, lights on timer
● No outlets
● Too enclosed, claustrophobic
● Has to sit face to face with strangers
● Out of the way
● Unsure if reserved
● Don’t like to study in other people’s
space or rooms
● Depressing sitting in a row with limited
space
● Colors are depressing and drab. No
color, pictures or plants
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Space Requirements for Mann Library (excerpts)
Environmental Scan
In addition to the studies that we have conducted at Mann, library staff has also investigated innovations
in library spaces around the country. Two members of the Mann Learning Technologies Committee
visited several institutions-‐-‐Duke, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, University of Massachusetts at
Amherst, Emory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the showroom at Steelcase -‐-‐ this spring
to examine learning spaces in or attached to libraries, interview staff at these facilities, and gain ideas
about furniture and design. Staff members have also reviewed literature on library learning spaces to
help frame our ideas about the renovation.
Results from user studies and environmental scan
Analysis of the collected data for themes and patterns is ongoing and the findings are too detailed to
represent in full here (see Appendix A for more information}, but below are some preliminary common
themes.
In general for study spaces, our investigation uncovered the following patterns on students’ likes and
dislikes:
Likes Dislikes
● Different kinds of spaces needed for
different purposes
● Variety of comfortable furniture styles
and heights
● Well lit especially with natural light
windows
● Plenty of outlets
● Zoning for noise and quiet, differing
levels of privacy
● Quiet but can make noise without
distracting others
● Low traffic area few distractions
● Aesthetics: new/modern feel, color and
visual interest, openness, “library” feel
● Views and integration of nature/plants
● Has people being productive and
necessary resources
● Has computers and software
● Work tables with room to spread out
● Whiteboards
● Proximity to food and drink
● Available and not too far away from
home
● Too noisy or too quiet (which varies by
person and activity)
● Uncomfortable furniture (wrong height
for typing, too little space between
people, wooden/hard, dividers) or
furniture is too comfortable and
encourages sleep rather than studying
● No tables of appropriate height or
surface to work on
● Too open feels like people are staring
at you
● Too full of people
● Too distracting high traffic too social
● Bad lighting, dark, lights on timer
● No outlets
● Too enclosed, claustrophobic
● Has to sit face to face with strangers
● Out of the way
● Unsure if reserved
● Don’t like to study in other people’s
space or rooms
● Depressing sitting in a row with limited
space
● Colors are depressing and drab. No
color, pictures or plants