Renovations: The Remodeling of a Library and Reshaping of Student Scholarship
(CSU, Fresno)
The Institute of Public Anthropology began investigating student scholarship at CSU Fresno in order to develop efficient strategies for the Henry Madden Library to better incorporate itself into student life. One phase of The Library Study focused on the reopening of the renovated building itself. The objective of the investigation was to collect data and gain insight on student perception and interaction with the library as a tangible edifice; in preceding research the library was limited as a concept to students due to construction. To discern student interaction with the newly constructed library, ethnographic research was applied. Key locations for the ethnography were the campus surrounding the library, study spaces within the library, and the Reference Desk. Informal interviews and visual anthropology were also employed to better understand student behavior. It was discovered that the library serves a purpose beyond academics. Students view the library as a business, as opposed to an educational institution, and expect service-oriented behavior from the facility. To students it is a place to eat, rest, socialize, and use devices such as cell phones and iPods. Additionally students have limited knowledge of the library services available to them and a narrow understanding of the Reference Desk. It was concluded that library services are better utilized by students when those services are oriented towards students’ lifestyles and technological habits. The study’s findings allowed for the creation of new ideas for improving library services and assimilating them into student life.