Academic Library Seating: A Survey of Usage, with Implications for Space Utilisation

Between June and October 1996 the University of Wollongong Library conducted a survey of patron seating usage with the aim of a) quantifying such use; and b) identifying areas where seats could be removed to accommodate the growth of the collection. The survey indicated that maximum usage of the 648 seats available for study was 66%. This supported a conservative reduction of seating numbers by 12%, resulting in minimal impact on patron usage. The removal of seats enabled the installation of additional shelving and a compactus. The findings have facilitated collection expansion for a further five year period.