Rules of (Mis)Conduct: User Behaviour in Public Libraries

Abstract

Unobtrusive observation in nine sites in two public libraries in Southern Ontario explored user compliance with posted rules of conduct. With the exception of children who were frequently loud and rambunctious, most users followed the rules. This finding is consistent with Goffman's idea that behaviour in public places is governed by normative assumptions of public order.Résumé : L'observation non obstructive effectuée dans neuf sites de deux bibliothèques publiques du sud de l'Ontario a examiné la conformité de l'utilisateur avec les règles de conduite affichées. À l'exception des enfants qui étaient fréquemment bruyants et querelleurs, la plupart des utilisateurs ont suivi le règlement. Ces résultats sont conformes avec l'idée de Goffman affirmant que le comportement dans les endroits publics est régi par des conventions normatives au sujet de l'ordre public.

The social weaving of a reading atmosphere

“…According to field observation, however, a different reality was to be found: some readers behave, expect others to behave, or even urge them to comply with behaviours according to what they consider to be legitimate practices. Similar results are reported by McKechnie et al (2006) in two public libraries in Ontario where readers, not staff members, occasionally shushed other readers.…”

Understanding international users' library experience in the Digital Age – joining the behavioral and experiential aspects

“…In 2007, the library of the University of Rochester in New York published library design and UX ethnographic research, which presented a new way of investigating UX in the library context (Foster and Gibbons, 2007). Many early works on the use of ethnographic techniques in learning about UX in the library context were from libraries in the USA and Canada, and their pioneering studies led to more user-centered research in libraries that looked beyond systems (McKechnie et al, 2006;Duke and Asher, 2012;Forlizzi and Battarbee, 2004;Suarez, 2007). In this methodological shift, UX research in the library has expanded from using mostly quantitative methods (such as surveys and usability tests) (Fry & Rich, 2011;Zimmerman and Paschal, 2009) to qualitative methods (such as interviews and ethnographic methods) (Bell, 2014).…”

“…In 2007, the library of the University of Rochester in New York published library design and UX ethnographic research, which presented a new way of investigating UX in the library context (Foster and Gibbons, 2007). Many early works on the use of ethnographic techniques in learning about UX in the library context were from libraries in the USA and Canada, and their pioneering studies led to more user-centered research in libraries that looked beyond systems (McKechnie et al. , 2006; Duke and Asher, 2012; Forlizzi and Battarbee, 2004; Suarez, 2007).…”