Academic Libraries: “Social” or “Communal?” The Nature and Future of Academic Libraries

May combine two claims.

Many patrons still come to academic libraries despite electronic access, and people do still use academic libraries in increasing numbers over the last ten years.

“The rise of electronic resources may mean that patrons no longer have to come to academic libraries to access the information they need, but many still come anyway.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “Despite the increasing use of library resources off-site, people do still use academic libraries, and in increasing numbers over the last ten years.”

• cites [15] 15. See Richard J. Bazillion and Connie Braun, Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A Guide to Design and Space Decisions, 2 nd ed. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2001) and Lawrence Dowler, ed. (1997), Gateways to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in Teaching, Learning, and Research (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

It is not clear that declining use of print collections is creating an exodus from academic libraries, or that such an exodus exists.

“Moreover, it is not clear that the declining use of print collections is creating an exodus from academic libraries, or even that such an exodus exists.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · hedged

  “National Center for Education Statistics suggest that falling gate counts are not a general phenomenon among academic libraries.”

• cites [15] 15. See Richard J. Bazillion and Connie Braun, Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A Guide to Design and Space Decisions, 2 nd ed. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2001) and Lawrence Dowler, ed. (1997), Gateways to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in Teaching, Learning, and Research (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The increasing use of electronic resources off-campus has resulted in declining circulation of print materials and reduced use of reference services in academic libraries.

“The increasing use of electronic resources off-campus has resulted in both declining circulation of print materials and reduced use of reference services in academic libraries.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “While NCES figures show that gate counts are not falling at academic libraries, they do show that the circulation of print materials is declining.”

• cites [15] 15. See Richard J. Bazillion and Connie Braun, Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A Guide to Design and Space Decisions, 2 nd ed. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2001) and Lawrence Dowler, ed. (1997), Gateways to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in Teaching, Learning, and Research (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Communal spaces in academic libraries are shrinking and aging.

“Communal spaces in academic libraries are shrinking and aging, and need to be rejuvenated.”

May combine two claims.

People do still use academic libraries, and in increasing numbers over the last ten years.

“Despite the increasing use of library resources off-site, people do still use academic libraries, and in increasing numbers over the last ten years.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “Between 1994 and 2004, gate counts overall rose 9.2 percent.”

• cites [15] 15. See Richard J. Bazillion and Connie Braun, Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A Guide to Design and Space Decisions, 2 nd ed. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2001) and Lawrence Dowler, ed. (1997), Gateways to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in Teaching, Learning, and Research (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

NCES figures show that gate counts are not falling at academic libraries.

“While NCES figures show that gate counts are not falling at academic libraries, they do show that the circulation of print materials is declining.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · hedged

  “National Center for Education Statistics suggest that falling gate counts are not a general phenomenon among academic libraries.”

• cites [15] 15. See Richard J. Bazillion and Connie Braun, Academic Libraries as High-Tech Gateways: A Guide to Design and Space Decisions, 2 nd ed. (Chicago: American Library Association, 2001) and Lawrence Dowler, ed. (1997), Gateways to Knowledge: The Role of Academic Libraries in Teaching, Learning, and Research (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1997).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The addition of nonlibrary facilities appears to have a negative effect on library usage, or at least no positive effect.

“Interestingly however, the addition of nonlibrary facilities appears to have a negative effect on library usage, or at least no positive effect:”

• cites Shill and TonnerNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Efforts to create a more social academic library threaten the communal spirit and may do more harm than good.

“Efforts to create a more social academic library threaten this communal spirit, and may do more harm than good.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Solitary study is also a social act.

“Indeed, it is worth emphasizing that solitary study is also a social act.”

• cites FisterNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Conversation, scholarly or not, can be a distraction from serious study in a communal place.

“Conversation, scholarly or not, can be a distraction from serious study in a communal place.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Social activity in academic libraries is a group activity: sometimes studious, not always contemplative, and certainly not quiet.

“Social activity is a group activity: it is sometimes studious, not always contemplative, and certainly not quiet.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the view of the info commons as serving collaborative teaching and learning, facilities for group work are seen as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, individual study spaces.

“It is important to note that in this view of the info commons, facilities for group work are seen as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, individual study spaces.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The info commons model that integrates technical resources, information sources, and staff support is entirely compatible with the traditional, communal academic library.

“This model of the info commons is entirely compatible with the traditional, communal academic library.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Social spaces are seen as becoming more important than communal spaces in the future.

“Nevertheless, social spaces are seen as becoming more important than communal spaces in the future.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Study facilities received the second lowest service rating in the Leavey Library survey.

“They also report that study facilities received the second lowest service rating in the survey.”

• cites Gardner and EngNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. The quote only partly states this claim.

What patrons come for and value is the communal experience of seeing and being seen by others, quietly engaged in serious study.

“What they value is a place to engage in communal study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The social model undermines the communal nature of quiet, serious study, which is highly valued in academic libraries.

“The problem is that the social model undermines something that is highly valued in academic libraries: the communal nature of quiet, serious study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Social construction is a model of knowledge creation, not a mandate for the creation of social academic libraries.

“Social construction is a model of knowledge creation, not a mandate for the creation of social academic libraries.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Communal activity in academic libraries is a solitary activity: studious, contemplative, and quiet.

“Communal activity in academic libraries is a solitary activity: it is studious, contemplative, and quiet.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The communal spirit of academic libraries is unique and greatly valued by academic library users.

“It argues that this communal spirit is unique, and greatly valued by academic library users.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “It is the communal aspect of libraries and the environment of serious study and research it creates that students and faculty value most, and which is bringing them into academic libraries in increasing numbers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The traditional academic library's spirit is best understood as communal.

“The academic library is unique as a communal place for study and research.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Adding social functions and services like cafés, art galleries, group study facilities, and info commons creates spaces and models of behavior open to conversation and cooperative work.

“Adding social functions and services like cafés, art galleries, group study facilities, and info commons creates spaces and models of behavior that are open to conversation and cooperative work.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Shill and Tonner found that gate counts increased after remodeling and renovation, with a median increase of 37.4 percent.

“Shill and Tonner found that gate counts increased after remodeling and renovation, with a median increase of 37.4 percent.”

• cites Shill and TonnerNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Reports of falling gate counts, combined with declining circulation and reference use, have led to numerous claims of the impending death of the traditional academic library.

“These trends, combined with reports of falling library gate counts, have led to numerous claims of the impending death of the traditional academic library.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The view that the academic library should become more social rests on the notion that the traditional academic library is little more than a warehouse for books.

“Underlying the view that the academic library should become a more social place is the notion that the traditional academic library is little more than a warehouse for books.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Both Bennett and Freeman view the info commons as a social space.

“Equally problematic, both Bennett and Freeman view the info commons as a social space.”

• cites BennettNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites FreemanNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Historically, patrons have come to academic libraries not only for intellectual resources but for spaces to seriously engage those resources.

“Historically, patrons have come to academic libraries not only for the intellectual resources they offer, but for the spaces in which to seriously engage those resources.”

May combine two claims.

Social activities are not always compatible with communal activities, and there can be a conflict between socializing and serious study at some times, in some places, for some people.

“Unfortunately, social activities are not always compatible with communal activities.”

• Also stated in: § Impetus for Change in Academic Libraries · plain

  “But there can be a conflict between socializing and serious study, at least at some times, in some places, for some people.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Freeman's argument is based on the problematic premise that the traditional academic library has little value as a physical place and that only by integrating print and electronic resources can it remain relevant.

“Freeman's argument is based on the implied (and problematic) premise that the traditional academic library has little value as a physical place; that only by integrating print and electronic resources can it remain relevant.”

• cites FreemanNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The social model of the academic library envisions students and faculty collaborating and communicating in the creation of new knowledge.

“The social model envisions a library in which students and faculty collaborate and communicate with each other in the creation of new knowledge.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Social spaces are incompatible with communal spaces, and creating adequate separation between them is difficult.

“Third, and most important, social spaces are incompatible with communal spaces, and creating adequate separation between them is difficult.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The drama of community cannot be maintained, expanded, or created by providing social or nonlibrary services.

“This drama cannot be maintained, let alone expanded or created, by providing social or nonlibrary services.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

It is the communal aspect of libraries and the environment of serious study and research it creates that students and faculty value most, and which is bringing them into academic libraries in increasing numbers.

“It is the communal aspect of libraries and the environment of serious study and research it creates that students and faculty value most, and which is bringing them into academic libraries in increasing numbers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Many nonlibrary functions serve to promote a social rather than communal atmosphere in academic libraries.

“Of more concern, many nonlibrary functions serve to promote a social rather than communal atmosphere in academic libraries.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The social model of the academic library undermines communal spaces in three ways: finite resources, real estate, and incompatibility.

“Unfortunately, the social model of the academic library undermines communal spaces in three ways.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “First, library resources are finite, and money spent creating new social spaces reduces the money available for redeveloping communal spaces.”

• Also stated in: § Ranseen suggests: · plain

  “Second, social spaces take up valuable library real estate, often at the expense of communal spaces.”

May combine two claims.

While older faculty place greater value on print resources, their use of the library for study and research is relatively limited.

“Surprisingly, while older faculty do place greater value on print resources, their use of the library for study and research is relatively limited.”

• cites Antell and EngelNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Intellectual conversation with library resources and conversation in the library are not necessarily the same thing.

“Intellectual conversation with library resources and conversation in the library are not necessarily the same thing.”

May combine two claims.

The death of the academic library has not only been exaggerated, but misunderstood.

“With apologies to Mark Twain, the death of the academic library has not only been exaggerated, but misunderstood.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Providing nonlibrary services and functions may not even serve the limited goal of increasing gate counts.

“As has been shown, providing nonlibrary services and functions may not even serve the limited goal of increasing gate counts, let alone the mission of the academic library.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

There is a danger that separation between communal and social parts of the library will make the communal library an afterthought, a second-class citizen with limited concern for aesthetics or staff support.

“However, there is a danger in separation; that the communal library will become an afterthought, a second-class citizen with limited concern for either aesthetics or library staff support.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The academic library is unique as a communal place for study and research.

“The academic library is unique as a communal place for study and research.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Because users aren't making as much use of print collections or reference services, they must be finding something else of value in the library.

“Because they aren't making as much use of print collections or reference services, they must be finding something else of value in the library.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Gate counts and circulation/reference statistics are valid indicators of what users value in academic libraries.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Ever-growing collections have put communal spaces under tremendous pressure in many academic libraries.

“Ever-growing collections have put such spaces under tremendous pressure in many academic libraries.”