Our Purpose

This project began as an internship for Sno-Isle Libraries.  It involved conducting a literature review on observational studies from both library and commercial sources. Subsequently, the protocols and tools for this project were created and then tested. As a Capstone project, further observational research was conducted along with field interviews, instructional videos were made and with the assistance of the Spokane County Library District this toolkit began to take shape.

With the support of these two library systems, we published these tools here so any library can access them and use the results to better serve their patrons. We encourage the free use of these tools and any adaptation that improves them or expands their application. If you do improve or expand these tools, we would appreciate the opportunity to share your modifications.  

The toolkit is linked at the top of the right sidebar. 





 Below you will also find the information and news about this project.  

LMCC- Library Marketing and Communication Conference, Dallas, TX 2016

Here are the slides from the workshop by Reilly Curran and Heather Newcomer.

Observational Research Toolkit 

"That's Happening Here?!"

Evaluating the Effectiveness of In-House Marketing

Update- Library Marketing and Communication Conference 2016

A lot has happened in the last year since this open-access research tool debuted on this blog. All four of the UW iSchool graduates responsible for the creation of this toolkit have library jobs and have been pursuing their various career interests. 

In April, Reilly Curran (Research Services Librarian and Lead Librarian for User Outreach at Seattle University) heard about the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and thought our Observational Research Toolkit for Libraries could be helpful to attendees at the conference. Reilly and Heather Newcomer (Research and Instruction Librarian at the Campus Library of University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College) submitted a proposal to share this research at the conference and were accepted.  

On November 16–17, 2016 Reilly and Heather will be at the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and invite anyone attending to join them on Thursday at 11:15am-12:15pm.

 

Hope to see you there! Even if you can't make it to the conference- feel free to explore the toolkit and use this open-access tool to improve your in-library communication with your patrons.

Design Thinking for Libraries

The Gates Foundation has a tool to facilitate Design Thinking for Libraries.

According to the documentation-

This toolkit guides you through Design Thinking so you can start coming up with solutions to everyday challenges within the library. Design thinking, or human-centered design, is all about starting with people — the users that visit your library. At IDEO, we’ve been using similar methods to envision new products, services, spaces, and experiences that bring them to life. We created this toolkit specifically for the library setting, and we’re looking forward to seeing how you might create impact by seeing your work through a fresh perspective: the design thinking lens!

Sources Cited

Aabo, S., Audunson, R. (2012). Use of library space and the library as place. Library & Information Science Research vol 34. p 138–149.

Becker, S., Crandall, M.D., Fisher, K. E. (2010).  U.S. IMPACT Studies: Survey results for the      Seattle Public Library. University of Washington.

Bryant, J., Matthews, G., & Walton, G. (2009). Academic libraries and social and learning space: A case study of Loughborough University Library, UK. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 41(1), 7–18.

Connaway, L.S., Dickey, T.J., Radford, M.L. (2011). “If it is too inconvenient I'm not going after it:” Convenience as a critical factor in information-seeking behaviors. Library & Information Science Research. Vol 33. p 179–190.

Eldredge, J. (2004). Inventory of research methods for librarianship and informatics. Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA, 92(1), 83-90.

Gates Foundation. (2014). Design Thinking for Libraries.  http://designthinkingforlibraries.com/

Given, L.M., Leckie, G.L. (2003). ‘‘Sweeping’’ the library: Mapping the social activity space of the public library. Library & Information Science Research, vol 25. p 365–385.

Halpern, R.  Eaker, C.,   Jackson,J.,  & Bouquin, D. (2015). #DitchTheSurvey: Expanding Methodological Diversity in LIS Research. In the Library with the Lead Pipe, 01 March 2015.

Korn, Randy. 1994. Studying your visitors: Where to begin. History News 49 (2): 23-6,          http://www.randikorn.com/docs/studying_your_visitors_where_to_begin.pdf.

Lee, R. M., (2000). Unobtrusive methods in social research. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Li, R., Klippel, A. (2012). Wayfinding in libraries: Can problems be predicted? Journal of Map and Geography Libraries. Vol 8. p 21-38.

Mandel, L. H., (2010). Toward an understanding of library patron wayfinding: Observing patrons' entry routes in a public library. Library & Information Science Research vol 32. p 116–130.

Marquez, J., Downey, A. (2016). Library service design : A LITA guide to holistic assessment, insight, and improvement (LITA guides). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield.

Marrelli, A.F. (2007). Unobtrusive measures. Performance Improvement, vol. 46: 9. p 43-47.

Matthew, J.R, (2009). The Customer-Focused Library: Re-inventing the Public Library from the Outside-In. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

Matthews, J.R. (2013). Research-Based Planning for Public Libraries: Increasing Relevance in the   Digital Age. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

Polger, M., & Stempler, A. (2014). Out with the Old, In with the New: Best Practice for Replacing Library Signage. Public Services Quarterly, 10(2), 67-95. 

San Jose Public Libraries and Hayward Public Libraries (2007). Envirosell Report.

Serfass, Melissa. (2012). The signs they are a-changin': Is it time to give your library's signage a makeover? AALL Spectrum, 16(6), 5.

Stempler, A., & Polger, M. (2013). Do You See the Signs? Evaluating Language, Branding, and Design in a Library Signage Audit. Public Services Quarterly, 9(2), 121-135.

Ritchie, J., Lewis, J. (2003). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. London: Sage Publications.

Trochim, W. M. K. (2006). Research methods knowledge base. Online: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.php

Underhill, P. (2008). Why we buy: The science of shopping. New York: Simon & Schuster.

van Beynen, K., Pettijohn, P., Carrel, M. (2010).  Using pedestrian choice research to facilitate  resource engagement in a mid-sized academic library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship.
Vol 36:5. p 412-419.

Webb, E.J., Campbell, D.T., Schwartz, R.D., & Sechrest, L. (1966). Unobtrusive measures Nonreactive research in the social sciences. Skokie, IL: Rand McNally.