Mapping your library Dorothy Halfhide Laxton Library Jo

Mapping your library Dorothy Halfhide - Laxton Library Jo Milton – University of Cambridge Medical Library

Library Cognitive Maps • Traditionally a map is a tool which helps us understand our worlds and environments. • Maps document where you have been and where you want to go. They are tool of exploration and understanding. • Library cognitive maps understand your services and processes, to identify what’s broken and to redesign for a better library experience.

Activity – Part 1 O You have 2 minutes to draw your library/learning space. Please use the black pen. O You have another 2 minutes. Use the green pen. O You have another 2 minutes. Using the red pen please add any further detail. If you can, include an idea of the routes you would generally take to get from one area to another. O Think about the activities that you do as part of your job.

Activity – Part 2 O Please label the features on your map O You have 3 minutes to discuss your map with your group/partner O Share with the group

Reflections… O What did you think about the activity? O What did you draw and did it surprise you? O Did you learn anything new about yourself? O Can you use this in your organisation?

Why use this method O This method assumes that the things people most O O associate with their “mental map” of the library will appear as elements in the drawing, and that the most important things (or strongest associations) will appear earlier. Blank spaces of the drawings can also be informative. It encourages people across the organization to consider the user’s feelings, questions and needs. This approach allowed us to learn which elements of the map users drew first, second and third. We recommend utilizing this approach in conjunction with additional interviewing methods that can corroborate and add context to the findings.

What Next… O Use the maps alongside user led tours of the library. (A user takes you around the library, highlighting areas of specific importance to them). O You can use this to ask them to highlight likes and dislikes. O A book is to be published early 2016 based on the conference. We will ensure one is available through the regional professional library.

Questions/Feedback O Dorothy Halfhide - Dorothy. Halfhide@pbh- tr. nhs. uk, 01733 678081 O Jo Milton – jm 908@medschl. cam. ac. uk, 01223 336755