Participatory Design of Academic Libraries International Conference KRE 11, Prague

Participatory Design of Academic Libraries

International Conference KRE 11, Prague

September 10, 2011

Nancy Fried FosterDirector of Anthropological Research

River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

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University of Rochester• Private College• Upstate New York

• 4,608 Undergraduates• 2,900 Graduates• 1,258 Faculty

• 3 nearby campuses– Medical Center– Eastman School of Music– River Campus

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Photo of Cayuga Lake

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Photo of sign near Cayuga Lake

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Photo of classic design examples

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Participatory Design

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Photo of faculty being interviewed

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Recruit participants and refine objectives

Identify what they need to do and how

they like to work

Select and refine solutions

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Photo of faculty being interviewed

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Photo of retrospective interview

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Photo of map interview

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Photo of dorm visit

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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What do they need?

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What do they need to do?

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Photo of nVivo software

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Criteria for assessing possible XC features

• Feasible, buildable• Closely related to core XC functionality• Meets known user needs• Could increase uptake of XC• Novel idea (either totally new or new to the

library domain)

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Major Recurring ThemesStudents need to:• See within space and outside• Do different activities in same space• Feel secure and comfy (sit, slouch, lie down,

eat, drink, spread books out, not get lost)• Use tools (plug in, get wireless, use a big

screen, use a stapler)• Get help (very generic, all-purpose)

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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Photo of design workshop artefact

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http://tinyurl.com/http-NancyFriedFoster-com

Nancy.Foster@Rochester.edu

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