Commuter Students and the Academic Library: A Mixed-Method Study of Space

This study discusses the library space assessment of the Stark Campus Library of Kent State University. The commuter student experience is underrepresented in the literature, which often focuses on residential campuses. A mixed-method research approach is used to understand commuter students’ experiences and preferences of an academic library. Researchers used photo-elicitation interviews, hourly floor sweeps, and unobtrusive observation to gather data on student use of the library. The study shares its findings on students study habits and how their commute affects time spent on-campus.