Users’ needs and expectations of immersive learning spaces in an academic library: A survey

Abstract

This research aims to investigate users’ space requirements, facilities, equipment, environmental needs, management services, and food services in immersive learning space. Descriptive statistical analysis is used to study the degree of users’ demand on spatial factors of different dimensions. The influence of identity and gender on the spatial needs is measured through t-test and one-way analysis of variance. The study found that in terms of space requirements, users are inclined to choose private and quiet seats; in terms of facilities and equipment, the higher the user’s academic status, the correspondingly higher requirements for some space facilities and equipment. Users attach great importance to the environmental elements of the immersive learning space, especially the cleanliness, lighting, acoustic environment, and temperature. Users also hope to use the online reservation services and increase the open time of the library. Although the main purpose of the immersive learning space is to learn, users hope to get food services. According to the research results, suggestions for the improvement of library spaces are put forward: adding special areas for doctoral candidate and faculty community, enhancing space planning, building better online services, building a 24-hour open learning space, and seting up a dining area outside the library.