I decided a good method of gaining data woud be to carry out some short interviews within Libraries NI. Now i’ve narrowed down my TA, i want to spend some time identifying the most useful questions i can ask. The most efficient way to gather information is to understand how young people currently experience the library in practice, rather than asking them to imagine changes or suggest solutions. By focusing on existing behaviours, associations and reasons for use or non use, i hope to identify gaps between what libraries ni currently offer and what young people actually need from a space like this.

I am also conscious of avoiding leading questions, as most people probably haven’t reflected on libraries as social or communal spaces before.

• When you first think of a library, what comes to mind?

( shows wether libraries are chosen freely or only out of necessity)

• Where might you usually go when you just want to sit and pass time, without a task?

( finding out what kind of third spaces the TA do use, can study the traits of these places)

• what would a library have to offer for you to choose it as somewhere to spend time socially or casually?

( see what the gap is between libraries now vs where they could be )

I didnt want to intrude on peoples time too much, so decided these 3 questions would be most useful.

Feedback

I spoke to a range of age groups in the Holywood Library and dundonald Library.

Andrea, 31

When you first think of a library, what comes to mind?

Andrea said that she thinks of a quiet and calm place. she likes to bring her children, (age 4 and 7) but feels bad sometimes if they are noisy as she feels this can intrude on other people.

She likes to read mainly fiction books, she works as a nurse and likes reading on her breaks and days off. she also said she likes the range of childrens books.