Keywords

experiment, discover, create, library use, experiential learning

Abstract

Why did you do this activity, project, or research?

Over the last decade, libraries have shifted from being primarily repositories for information and resources to active learning centers. Physical resources (e.g., books, journals, manuscripts) have moved to online access. Librarian roles have adjusted how they help patrons find and access resources in their local library and beyond, resulting in impactful input on research, learning, and scholarly endeavors. Additionally, due to a reduced need for storing materials, libraries have developed collaborative and innovative spaces to meet patrons’ needs. These spaces include group study rooms, experiential studios, makerspaces, green rooms, and podcast rooms, to name a few. Each of these activities led to the need to redefine and refine the roles of library spaces, resources, services, and interactions with patrons.

How did you do this?

Three key definitions of experimentation, discovery, and creation (EDC) within libraries were developed using library administration discussions, a short student survey, and a library employee workshop. We refined the definitions and then used the EDC definitions to ask students for specific examples of their EDC activities.

What did you discover?

The initial discussions, survey, and workshop activities helped us to create working EDC definitions and a model of the EDC interactions. These development processes, which are discussed in the first part of this paper, were followed by data collection in the winter (January–April) semester via a convenience survey. Student survey responses helped determine the students’ EDC activities and how they relate to library operations (e.g., spaces, resources, services, interactions) to meet patrons’ EDC needs.

What is the potential value to the wider performance measurement/assessment/user experience library community?

This paper describes the initial development and refinement of EDC definitions. The initial assessment will further refine the definitions and will be used to determine what current library spaces, services, and resources are meeting EDC needs. It will also highlight what we anticipate needing to develop to meet EDC needs as the library transitions from a repository of materials to fulfilling the EDC needs of its patrons. We anticipate that the EDC development and assessments will be an iterative endeavor over the next few years.

Original Publication Citation

Zaugg, H. (June 2025). New definitions of library use: Experimentation, Discovery, and Creation (EDC) within a library. Paper presentation at the LibBMC 2025 conference, Liverpool, Great Britain.