A place for us by us : A study in the design of university libraries for students

The purpose of this essay is to explore the importance of library design to students, whether the interior design of a library has any effect on their experience when using its services, and what the students themselves believe is most important for the library to do to stay afloat in a society that is constantly evolving and becoming more digital. The study will also bring up UX (User Experience) as a method for library design. The theories used in this study are the third place theory, as well as a comparison to the ideals of the Learning Commons model. In order to find out how the students view the library and the impact of its design, five interviews with five different students at Linneaus University in Växjö were conducted. The results show that the library generally inspires the students to feel motivated and at ease in a place that is comfortable and safe. It also shows that the design and the general atmosphere of the library does play a specific role in the students’ overall experience of the library as it impacts many of the choices they make while they’re there, such as where to sit or which places to avoid. The majority of the students are mostly happy with the library as it is except for minor inconveniences, and merely wishes for the library to continue in the same way in the future while adapting to any new changes that may come in its way