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Library café or elsewhere: usage of study space by different majors under contemporary technological environment

Jiafeng Zhou (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
Ernest Lam (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong)
Cheuk Hang Au (National Chung Cheng University, Minhsiung, Taiwan)
Patrick Lo (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
Dickson K.W. Chiu (Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 20 September 2021

Issue publication date: 8 December 2022

1202

Abstract

Purpose

As current university students may access information for their study anytime, anywhere with ubiquitous mobile technologies, this research re-examines the roles of study space in students' learning and campus life.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to collect students' opinions and habits regarding the usage of different study spaces. Results in three different academic majors (science and engineering, arts and business) of a comprehensive international university were compared.

Findings

The authors’ findings showed a more diversified space usage among students, with the library café increasingly important in students' learning and life while learning commons remain important. However, there were only minor differences among these three study majors towards the learning and entertaining spaces, as these students generally apply inquiry-based learning.

Originality/value

While some researches have investigated students' usage of university and library learning spaces, few studies have focused on the study space issue in Hong Kong or other metropolises in the East under the current mobile learning environment. This study's insights could help libraries and universities improve the management of their physical spaces to meet student needs.

Keywords

Citation

Zhou, J., Lam, E., Au, C.H., Lo, P. and Chiu, D.K.W. (2022), "Library café or elsewhere: usage of study space by different majors under contemporary technological environment", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 40 No. 6, pp. 1567-1581. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2021-0103

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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