Explaining the Quality of the Architectural Space in Academic Libraries Based on User Preferences

Problem statement: 

Although the unwillingness of students to use academic libraries may have such reasons as the interference of class times with the working hours of libraries, the spread of electronic resources, and easy access to them through applications that can be installed on cell phones and computers, the architectural design criteria in academic library spaces can also affect in the lack of presence of users.

The present research aimed to identify criteria that lead to the maximum attraction of users and increase their presence in academic libraries while improving the quality of the architectural space of academic libraries.

Using a qualitative approach, this research was done by the grounded theory method. The data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 14 users of 5 academic libraries in Tehran were coded in the three phases of open, axial, and selective coding. 33 propositions were obtained as open codes. Axial codes were extracted from 20 main categories and finally, 5 cores were recognized as the selective codes.

Providing spaces for leisure time and relaxation, views of vegetation, diverse visual views, the possibility of group discussion, the environmental comfort in the study halls, considerations related to the privacy of visual connection between the women's spaces and other library spaces, spatial organization, functional quality of furniture and shelves (suitable furniture for long-term sitting and observation of ergonomics), and management and planning for human resources were determined as factors affecting the desirability of academic libraries.