Transmedia library shelf experience: Innovative research approaches

Abstract

How do people behave and interact with a new arrangement of a public library shelf? The ways in which users access and discover both digital and physical content in libraries are dynamic and constantly changing. This exploratory study employs qualitative tools to examine different search strategies and appeal elements concerning a new arrangement of content on the shelves. This paper introduces the concept model of a new library shelf, defined as a narrative and transmedia shelf, where resources are organized to enhance serendipity and facilitate user experience and browsing. Furthermore, the paper illustrates the initial phases of the pre-prototype shelf experiment. The findings highlight the relevance of research aimed at renewing spatial configuration models of collections, broadening their concept from a transmedia perspective, restoring the centrality of reading in its many forms, and strengthening the cultural and social role of public libraries.