University of Florida
As part of ARL’s Research Library Impact Framework initiative, the Marston Science Library (MSL) of the University of Florida (UF) George A. Smathers Libraries partnered with the UF Department of Interior Design (IND) to explore how research libraries facilitate innovation, creativity, and problem-solving competencies among their patrons. The MSL-IND team explored a three-tiered hypothesis that included: (1) students’ use of library spaces can contribute to building knowledge and practical applications for library space renovations; (2) student perceptions of space desirability as measured by the Place-based Semantic Differential can be used to indicate gaps in the library space facilitation of creativity; and (3) the creative thought process requires spaces that are diverse, flexible, and under a certain amount of student control. The research team developed a mixed-method study that included a spatial analysis, a survey utilizing an adjective checklist, and several focus groups designed to validate the adjective checklist. The research team analysis of the resulting data identified recommendations related to creating a sense of place, solving for the group by addressing the individual, offering a palette of posture, increasing biophilia, and offering choice and control.
To cite
Minson, Valrie, Laura I. Spears, Adrian Del Monte, Margaret Portillo, Jason Meneely, Sara Gonzalez, and Jean Bossart. Library Impact Research Report: Facilitating Innovative Research, Creative Thinking, and Problem Solving. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries, September 16, 2022. https://doi.org/10.29242/report.uflorida2022.
