The librarians at the University of Rhode Island needed to gather student input on their plans for a new Learning Commons given their short timeline. Inspired by a presentation, they created a simple feedback technique using a whiteboard, photos of spaces, post-it notes, and pencils. Students provided numerous serious suggestions and comments by posting their ideas and responding to each other. Common requests included extended hours, more computers and outlets, comfortable seating, and low-cost copying. While an informal process, it generated useful student feedback at low cost to inform the new space plans.

1. Post-its, Pencils, and
Placement: A Simple
Technique for Getting
Student Involvement in
the Planning Process
Amanda Izenstark & Mary MacDonald
University of Rhode Island
bit.ly/nercomp_space

2. The "Crisis"
In very late 2008, we found out we would be
getting $1m for a Learning Commons.
Construction would start in May 2009.
We needed to figure something out.
Fast.

3. No time AND no money
Given our short time frame, we needed
something we could implement quickly.
...But there are benefits to that!

4. Inspiration!
Middlebury librarians Carrie MacFarlane and
Brendan Owens' presentation at the
Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries 2008
October Conference:
Where Would You Study? Feedback Via
Post-It Notes
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biomed/services.ht

5. Our Recipe
1 freestanding whiteboard (borrowed from
one of the library's teaching labs)
4 photographs of public spaces in the area
5 packs brightly colored 2"x3" post-it notes
1 box golf pencils
Printer paper for improvised signs
Design signs, stick to whiteboard. Place
whiteboard in heavily-trafficked location.
Publicize. Wait.

6. What we expected
We figured some pads would be alluring,
and would leave the area of their own
accord.
We figured students would make some
comments, and move along quickly.

7. What actually happened
Students posted their ideas.
Students read other students' ideas, and
added comments.
Students made numerous serious
suggestions. Some made not-so-serious
suggestions.
We never had to open a second five-pack of
post-its - not a pad was purloined.

14. What did they want?

15. Hours - 24 hours on the first floor, 24
hours throughout the library

16. Computers - more available, more
programs

17. Power - more outlets, more outlets,
more outlets

18. Chairs - more comfortable ones,
more of them

20. Copying/Printing - Free or 1¢ per
page

21. Food - More Options, Longer Daily
Grind Hours

22. Pets - Dogs! Cats!
I am Maru. まるです。 http://sisinmaru.blog17.fc2.com/blog-entry-1178.html
Maru the cat まるです。 19 Apr 2011 http://sisinmaru.blog17.fc2.com/blog-entry-1171.html

23. ...Some asked for things we already have:
• Group study rooms
• Lockers "like they have in airports"

24. What's Coming?

28. Limits of this process
This reached our current users - only those
who came into the library during the 3
weeks contributed.
This was not an ethnography, nor was it
hard-core science.
But useful feedback for the price of post-its.

29. Your Turn

30. Think like a space consumer
What do you like about this space?
What do you not like about this space?
What suggestions do you have for making
this a more pleasant space?

31. Wrap-Up
What did you learn about this space?
What did you learn about the people who
use this space?

32. Thank you!
Amanda Izenstark
amanda@uri.edu
Mary MacDonald
marymac@uri.edu
bit.ly/nercomp_space