Renovations of a university library: the potential for place attachment among Gen Z students during a pandemic

Abstract

University libraries are adapting their spaces to help support the needs of Gen Z students by adding collaborative spaces and encouraging social interactions. This qualitative case study explores the person-place interactions between Gen Z students and a Research 1 (R1) state university library during a full-scale renovation and worldwide pandemic. A tripartite framework of place attachment was used as a guide to examine the findings. Twenty-two undergraduate students in the library were interviewed, in addition to seven librarians, one facilities director, and one architect who oversaw the library's renovation. Observations and photo documentation were also used as supplemental data to support the information gained from the interviews. The analysis of the data revealed that place dependence was the strongest form of place attachment found in the data. Additionally, there were multiple connections found between place attachment constructs. Features of the library such as the spatial layout, technology, and access to information connected both physically based place attachment and place dependence. A collaborative atmosphere and peer motivation intertwined with socially based place attachment and place dependence. Also, relaxation, comfort, and safety were features that linked socially based place attachment and place affect. The library's major renovation that was underway during data collection, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant influence on the information gathered in this study. Implications and suggested interior design guidelines are provided.