Reservable Study Rooms

Conducted UX research—including observations, surveys, and usability tests—to evaluate LibCal, the new library study space reservation system, and identify opportunities to improve student experiences across reservable tables, study rooms, and carrels.

Role

UX Research Assistant

Timeline

2 Months

Methods

Usability Testing

Surveys

Observations

Students faced challenges using LibCal, the library’s new study space reservation system. It was unclear which spaces were truly meeting their needs or how the system could be improved for better usability and awareness.

Problem Statement

Context

The project involved three types of study spaces:

Importantly, each of the three study spaces had unique usage patterns and expectations. My role was to evaluate how the reservation system performed across all spaces and to improve the pilot tool for maximum usability and adoption.

Shapiro Study Tables (1st and 2nd floors)

Shapiro Study Rooms

Hatcher Carrels

(3rd Floor)

Open, high-traffic seating

Enclosed, highly sought after group and solo rooms

Quiet, individual spaces

Students are able to reserve these study spaces through our newly piloted reservation system called LibCal, hosted on the Library's website. Through LibCal, students select the study space they want to reserve and the date and time. They can also book on the spot using QR codes located at each study space.

Within LibCal, there are different views for reserving study spaces: list view, grid view, and the interactive map.

Methods

To understand both adoption and experience, I conducted a mixed-methods evaluation using three methods.

10 Usability Testing

Ran sessions with students to test the pilot system for reserving and finding carrels, booking adjacent spaces vis QR code, and navigating list, grid, and map views on mobile and desktop.

Observations Across 3 Spaces

Monitored real-world usage patterns across all the targeted study spaces to see how reservations were actually being used by students.

37 Staff Surveys

Gathered operational insights and recurring student issues from 37 staff members to inform recommendations.

217 Student Surveys

Collected feedback from 217 students about room reservation awareness, satisfaction, and pain points.

Findings

Usability Testing: Pain Points of the Pilot Reservation System

After conducting the usability tests, I coded the data by themes. Patterns emerged that allowed us to make sense out of behaviors we had observed. Below is a very simplified summary of what we saw.

Strengths

Perceived usefulness
- Nearly all participants enjoyed the service and found it useful. Users liked being able to book a carrel in advance because they would be guaranteed a study space.
- Students highlighted that this service is especially useful for busy seasons like finals week
Accurate Real Time Availability
- All participants expressed that the booking service reflected real time availability. During each trial, the carrel that had been reserved was available.
QR Codes
- Participants liked that QR codes allowed for impromptu booking and was easy to use

Areas for Improvement

Wayfinding
- Navigation issues for students unfamiliar with Hatcher South
List, Grid, and Map View on Mobile Version
- Lagging for all views
- Small “buttons” that are hard to select (i.e. difficulty selecting specific carrel spaces on the int. map)
- Confusion due to the color coding on the int. map
- Submit button all the way at the bottom on list and grid view.
QR Codes Easy to Miss
- QR codes were not salient, so students did not use them.

Observations: Shapiro Study Tables, Study Rooms, and Carrels

Observations were conducted during the day to capture how students were actually using the reservation system. Were they reserving the spaces they were using? Or not?

Study Tables

Study Rooms

Carrels

Out of 46 students, 0% reserved their study table
Real time availability not accurately captured through LibCal
QR codes for reserving the tables were scattered or, at times, appeared to be missing.

Out of 12 study rooms that were in use, 100% had been reserved.
Most popular study space among students
Most accurate real time availability

Of the carrels in use, 30% had been reserved
Real time availability was mixed

Student Surveys

A survey was sent to students who had previously booked a study space. Their responses were useful in providing context for the observations I had conducted in the spaces.

Study Tables

Study Rooms

Carrels

"It's impractical because reservations are not honored."
Students described awkward situations where tables were in use but not booked.
Students rated Shapiro tables as being not very convenient.
- Average score of 2/5.

Students rated study rooms as most desirable study space.
Valued for its privacy, sound proof space for zoom calls

Most students didn't know about carrels and didn't know they could be booked
Value during exam seasons, busy periods
Still wanted an option of "first come first serve"

Staff Surveys

A survey was sent to library staff to collect their feedback on patterns of study space use they have noticed in the library this academic year, as well as questions, concerns, or feedback they have heard directly from patrons.

The survey was sent to staff and students from Operations, Ask a Librarian, and the Clark Library. 37 staff members responded.

Study Tables

Study Rooms

Carrels

Reported 1st floor study tables reservations are not honored because the table numbers are often scattered around.

Study rooms are most desired by students and fill up quickly.
- Students complain about the lack of availability.

Suggestion to create maps for Hatcher South (where carrels are located)
- Frequent questions from students about how to get to carrels

High Level Findings and Recommendations

What I Learned

This project reinforced that the success of a digital tool depends as much on context and behavior as on interface design.

While LibCal performed well from a usability standpoint in high-demand scenarios like study rooms, the research showed that reservations alone don't create value if they conflict with how people naturally use a space.

By combining usability testing, observations, and surveys, I was able to identify where the system aligned with student expectations and where it introduced pain points. In particular, adoption was driven by:

Clear expectations and purpose for how a space should be used
Environmental cues, such as signage, layout, and wayfinding
Trust in real-time availability, especially during peak periods

This work shaped highlighted the importance of evaluating digital systems as part of a broader service ecosystem, where physical space, signage, and social norms directly influence user behavior. This project strengthened my ability to translate complex, mixed-method findings into actionable recommendations that balance user needs with operational realities.