1. COVER TO COVER
Understanding
the community library’s
past, present and future.

2. COVER TO COVER
Understanding
the community library’s
past, present and future.
DESIGN BRIEF
Group 2
Mark Guarraia
Aidenn Mullen
Kirk Rhodes
IDUS 711 : Methods of Contextual Research
October 27, 2013

3. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Libraries of yesterday began with efforts to organize documents as a collection. The interests of
forming the first library included accessibility to organized information, specifically within the educational role of a community.
Now, libraries are a cultural center for many communities, although their function and usefulness
vary greatly from location to location. Specifically with the advent of new technologies, libraries have
attempted to–and in some cases been forced to–adjust to the needs of their communities.
By conducting an ethnographic study of the interactions and intentions of library visitors, members
and staff, we will assess the attraction and future direction of America’s community libraries.
OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Through this research study, there is an opportunity to uncover rich insights about America’s community libraries–spaces often overlooked, undervalued, and misunderstood.
As a result of this study, we hope to understand 1. where community libraries provide the most value
for members, 2. where they can improve their services and accessibility, and 3. how we can evolve
today’s libraries and construct tomorrow’s libraries to truly reflect the anticipated needs of members.
By doing so, we also have the opportunity to understand what may draw outsiders into their community libraries in the years ahead.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. How are community libraries defining themselves?
2. Where are there opportunities for libraries to change and grow to meet the evolving needs of
their members and communities?
3. What is the current relationship between communities and their libraries, and what are the libraries doing to create, foster, and maintain this?
SCOPE
This study will combine our research, analysis and synthesis of three community libraries across
three American cities. This project will not include the development and testing of prototypes.
Our analysis and synthesis of research will be derived by interviewing and observing stakeholders
and a unique approach to methodology. We will not however, distribute surveys or gather data when
the researcher cannot be present in the field, or cannot have interaction with the user.

4. VALUE PROPOSITION
For current, future, and prospective community library members who regularly take advantage of the
associated services and spaces, this study will uncover key insights into what currently drives usage
and to what will be required for community libraries of the future to remain relevant, accessible, and
desirable.
We do this by conducting a contextual research study: observing library resource usage, surveying
frequent patrons and staff, interviewing key stakeholders, attending and participating in events, and
mapping activity flow. Our primary research study is fueled and informed by our comprehensive
secondary research on community libraries in the United States, as well as on the regions and cities
we are operating within.
Unlike other studies which merely collect quantitative data on library usage to facilitate and satisfy
trending demands of the community, this study additionally focuses on the perceived purpose,
function and needs of the library within its community, both by it’s users and staff. The benefits of
such knowledge will provide a direction for libraries to focus on to remain relevant, accessible, and
desirable to their communities.
METHODOLOGY
Interviews We will utilize interviews to capture experiences, histories, thoughts, predictions, and
insights from many key stakeholders: current library members, library employees, and other relevant
individuals. For each interview we will determine the focus according to our primary research questions (above), then probe the respondent for relating content in a semi-structured interview manner.
Recordings may be audio or video, and notes will be recorded on a field guide. This methodology will
lead to a well-rounded, informed analysis of the current state of community libraries, and may hint at
what the future can look like.
Observations In this study, we will rely on several observation techniques. We will spend time in
community libraries, observing both members and employees. We will observe on both the macro
and micro levels, and will do this during various times of the day (to get an accurate look at the
cross-section of members). We will also employ shadowing techniques, following both members and
employees throughout their time in the space.
Unique Methods Our unique method of choice will be to interact with stakeholders during an
image sorting exercise. Images will be chosen based on topics of library spaces, such as personal
and digital spaces, community and multi-use spaces, and youth environments. Through this, we will
be looking for patterns and themes to illuminate areas of need otherwise not addressed in observation and interview methods.

5. TIMELINE
Date
M: 09.16.13
M: 09.23.13
M: 09.30.13
M: 10.07.13
M: 10.14.13
M: 10.21.13
M: 10.28.13
M: 11.04.13
M: 11.11.13
M: 11.18.13
Units
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Research Preparation / Practice
Contact Libraries / Participants
Research
Activities
Observations
Interviews
Unique Methods
Analysis /
Findings /
Opportunity
Mapping
Findings Organization
Opportunity Mapping
Blog - www.themagnoliastudio.wordpress.com
Documenting
RAS Draft
Finalize RAS

6. DELIVERABLES
- Opportunity Map: Future of Community Libraries
- High Level Insights
- Demographic Analysis
- Process Book
- Blog
- History of the three observed Community Libraries
- Environmental Photos
- RAS Report
- Video Presentation

7. Appendix
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS » LIBRARIAN
On this library and libraries in general
- What do you think is the purpose or benefit of having a library? … of this library?
- Do you think the library currently serves the same purpose it did ten, fifteen years ago?
Please explain.
- How has this library changed over the past five years? Can you give me some examples of
programs, offerings, functions, etc.?
- What would you say are the strengths of this library?
- Where do you see this specific library five years from now?
On your job and experience with this library
- Does this library offer you everything you would like from it? Are there things that are not
offered here that you would otherwise utilize on a regular basis?
- Have you ever worked with a group at the library? How do you see groups vs individuals
utilizing the library?
- Can you tell me about the skills / services you can offer in this particular library?
- Can you tell me about a circumstance in which you felt valued as a librarian? How does this
compare to a time when you could not offer assistance to a member?
- Are there times when you or the library is unable to offer assistance to a member? Can you
give an example? What did you do? What did the member do?
On the community engagement of this library and libraries in general
- What services are most utilized by the community? What services do you think would or should
be utilized more often? What is preventing that from happening?
- Who would you say utilizes the library’s current resources the most / most effectively?
- Is there any type of person in the community that you would wish to see utilizing the library
more… if so, tell me about that / why?
- Can you tell me - is your member population on the incline or on the decline? For how long has
this been a trend, and to what do you attribute this to?
- Are there opportunities for our library to gain new members? How would you suggest that this
is communicated?
- Are there other local spaces that offer the similar services to the library? Can you describe
them? Do you find that they serve the community better? In what way?
- What would you say are - currently - the major community anchors within this neighborhood?
Do you feel the community library has gotten higher on that list, or lower - why is that? How
does this compare with ten or fifteen years ago?
- If you had complete power and could enable the library to do just one more thing for this
community, what would it be?

8. Appendix
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS » MEMBER
On this library and libraries in general
- What do you think is the purpose or benefit of having a library? … of this library?
- How often would you say you visit the community library? Why do you come here as opposed to
other public spaces? What do you do and where do you do it?
- Does this library offer you everything you would like from it? Are there things that are not
offered here that you would otherwise utilize on a regular basis?
- Can you list reasons why members would not visit the library? Who are those that choose not to
utilize this service?
On your experience with this library
- Have you ever worked with a group at the library? How do you see groups vs individuals
utilizing the library?
- For how long have you been coming to this community library? How have you seen the library
change since joining?
- If there were just one thing that enabled you to utilize the library more, what would it be?
- Do your family members or friends utilize the community library? If so, in what capacity?
- How do you see the others utilizing this library?
- Have there been occasions when the library has been a solution for a problem you may have
had? Can you tell me about this situation? Did it involve your specific community?
- If the library was to close, how would you solve problems that you normally do within the area?
Where would you start?
- How do you stay up to date with community library offerings?
- Do you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth from your community library?
- Do you feel like the library is valued a benefit of the tax payers money?
On the community engagement of this library and libraries in general
- How do you see our community utilizing this library?... is that all?
- From your perspective, what do you think this library’s main priority is when serving the
community?
- How do you receive information about Library events?
- What would you say are - currently - the major community anchors within this neighborhood?
Do you feel the community library has gotten higher on that list, or lower - why is that? How
does this compare with ten or fifteen years ago?
- Have there been any community events you have attended here? If so, can you tell me about
them?
- Are there other community spaces and resources you utilize? (Think Post Office… book
stores… coffee shop…) How do you stay connected with those establishments?

9. Appendix
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS » NON-MEMBER
On this library and libraries in general
- Have you received information about the library even though you do not attend? How was this
communicated?
- Is the community library irrelevant?
- Where do you go first for information?
On your experience with this library
- Why don’t you go to your community library?
- When was the last time you went to your community library? How do you envision the
community library - what is it offering, from your past experience?
- What is your perception of the community library? Do you have any experiences that stand out
to you?
- Do you know anyone that regularly goes to the library?

10. Appendix
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS » ARCHITECT
On libraries as evolving spaces
- When thinking about designing a new community library, what were some of the things you
took into account?
- Who did you find is accessing the library most frequently?
- Were there any strategic initiatives brought to you when considering the design of this new
community space? If so, who were these proposed by?
- As an architect, did you bring any new strategies for the stakeholder review panel to consider?
If so, what were they and where did they come from?
- Was attracting new members part of your strategy when setting out to design a new library? If
so, how did you go about solving for this?
On working with and within a community
- How does Tiverton (host community for new library) differ in its needs from a more urban
community library? Did you happen to study other models when designing this new space?
- Were there any surprising requests from the community as you set out to design this new
space?
- Were you met with any community opposition when discussing plans for the new library? If so,
what did they pertain to?
On designing a physical space
- What are some new technologies we could observe walking into your new library?
- Do you feel there are currently barriers to joining a community library? If so, are these barriers
physical, mental, emotional, etc…

11. Appendix
FIELD GUIDE » ONE
Interaction within the space, Community
Professional Notes:
Observer: ___________________________ Date: _______________ Location / Event: ___________________________
Core Values, Aspirations, Role Models
Stakeholder: Who He / She is? “______________________________________”
Demographics:
Quotes:
Activities, Daily Routine
IDUS 711 / Group 2 / Field Guide / 1

12. Appendix
FIELD GUIDE » TWO
How
Interaction
When
during activity
Why
needs / problems
Professional Notes
Where
location?
occasion?
Observer: ___________________________ Date: _______________ Location / Event: ___________________________
What
types of services
IDUS 711 / Group 2 / Field Guide / 2

13. Appendix
FIELD GUIDE » THREE
Dissatisfactions
Needs Met
Associations
Perceptions
Observer: ___________________________ Date: _______________ Location / Event: ___________________________
Area of Opportunity
Compensating Behaviors
Barriers
IDUS 711 / Group 2 / Field Guide / 3

14. Appendix
PROJECT MATRIX
Source of Data
Research
Methods
Research Tools
Where
What do we need
to know
What do we
need to know
Research
Questions
Community
Libraries
What do we need
to know
How are
community libraries
defining
themselves?
What are all the
services offered at
libraries currently
both for members
and the general
public?
What efforts have
been made to
remain relevant
to stakeholders?
How have those
been successful?
Field Guide, Idea
Mapping,
Environment
Mapping, Audio /
Video, Note
Transcripts
How do
stakeholders view
libraries of today?
Where is this
information derived
from? Does this
align with current
use?
What are all the
community /
member
interactions that
take place daily?
Is there a
pattern?
Librarians,
Members,
Partners,
Secondary
Sources
How are nonlibraries servicing
users, what are the
similarities /
differences to how
libraries are serving
members?
Primary &
Secondary
Research
Observation
(Shadowing, Fly on
the Wall),
Interviewing
In what ways do
libraries already
serve their
members? Are these
services specific to
the library?
Librarians,
Members,
Partners
Photos, Audio,
Video, Field Guide
notes, experience /
environment
mapping
Libraries,
Community
Centers,
Community Art
Centers, Cafes,
Coffee Shops,
Internet Cakes,
Bookstores, Higher
Education Libraries
External
Communication ,
including media
used
Image / Word
Sorting, Primary &
Secondary
Research
Observation
(Shadowing, Fly on
the Wall),
Interviewing,
Where are the
opportunities for
libraries to change
and grow to meet
the evolving needs
of their members
and communities?
Community
Libraries
Community / Library
relationship
interactions,
activities,
administrative
Librarians,
Members,
Partners
Photos, Audio,
Video, Field Guide
notes, experience
mapping, Note
Transcripts
What are the
responses to the
communication
sent to members
/ community?
Positive or
Negative?
Diary Study,
Interviewing, Image
/ Word Sorting,
Interviewing,
Shadowing
What is the current
relationship
between
communities and
their libraries, and
what are the
libraries doing to
create, foster, and
maintain this?