To improve the library experience for your patrons, you need objective evidence about how people are using your space and resources. Observing and recording anonymous patron behaviours is a powerful way to gather this. This course will introduce the basic methods with easy exercises to build your experience and the opportunity to design your own observation too. Use these techniques to get beyond a familiar workspace and staff assumptions to what your patrons actually see and do.
On our courses for Library Managers, you will develop a personal relationship with your mentor who will support and stretch your learning every step of the way. Your mentor will help you adapt the course content to your own workplace and shape your coursework so it is relevant to your individual professional situation.
Prices displayed in CAD
NEW COURSES AND NEW PRICES
Buy now and start any time
after 1 April 2025
| What is observation research? | |
| What this research can and cannot do | |
| Why is it worth doing? | |
| Data collected in your libraries | |
| Visible and invisible customers | |
| Case study 1: Which age groups use small libraries? | |
| Case study 2: Which age groups use a central library? | |
| Case study 2: Visitor flow by time of day | |
| Case study 2: Combining age group and time of day | |
| Sample sizes | |
| Is this a breach of privacy? | |
| Preparing for Task One | |
| Task One: Observation of age and gender | |
| Record your results and ask for feedback |
| Effective book displays | |
| Observation methods | |
| Keeping it simple | |
| Tips for observers | |
| Recording and collating results | |
| How physical factors affect choice | |
| Case study 3: How can displays work harder? | |
| Case study 4: Length of stay measured over a week | |
| Case study 5: Book display before and after changes | |
| Preparing for Task Two | |
| Task Two: Observation of a specific display before and after changes | |
| Record your results and ask for feedback | |
| Extra: quick staff training session |
| Which routes do visitors take through the library? | |
| Case study 6: Tracking customer routes | |
| Case study 7: Destination flow | |
| Case study 8: Optimising shared spaces | |
| What is the average length of visit? | |
| Framing your research question | |
| Working alone or with others | |
| Planning for Task Three: your own observation | |
| Prepare for the unexpected | |
| Uncovering bigger challenges | |
| Observing staff procedures | |
| Case study 9: Example raw observation notes | |
| Record your results and ask for feedback | |
| Thank you |
