Survey of american college students use of library specialized t

SURVEY OF AMERICAN COLLEGE
STUDENTS: USE OF LIBRARY SPECIALIZED
TECHNOLOGY, GROUP & INDIVIDUAL
STUDY ROOMS

ISBN 978-1-57440-530-9 ©2018 Primary Research Group


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table of Contents
THE QUESTIONNAIRE.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Characteristics of the Sample ........................................................................................................................ 15
SUMMARY OF MAIN FINDINGS .................................................................................................................... 20
Have you ever reserved a library group study room? .................................................................... 20
Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? ..................................................... 20
Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? ....................................................... 21
How many times have you used each of the following in the past month? ............................ 22
Group study room ...............................................................................................................................22
Single-person study room ...................................................................................................................23
Technology room ................................................................................................................................23

What technology, device or practice might make group or personal study rooms better?
.............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need it? ... 25
Award a letter grade to your library’s group study rooms ........................................................... 25

Table 1 Have you ever reserved any of the following? Check all that apply............................... 27
Table 1.1.1 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? ............................................. 27
Table 1.1.2 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by Carnegie
class .................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Table 1.1.3 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by age of
survey participant......................................................................................................................................... 27
Table 1.1.4 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out for survey
participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of origin...................................................... 28
Table 1.1.5 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out regional
origins of the survey participant ............................................................................................................. 28
Table 1.1.6 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by college
year class standing ....................................................................................................................................... 28
Table 1.1.7 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by
approximate student family annual income ....................................................................................... 29
Table 1.1.8 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by degree of
religiosity of the survey participant ...................................................................................................... 29
Table 1.1.9 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by type of
political beliefs of the survey participant ............................................................................................ 30
Table 1.1.10 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by college
grades of the survey participant ............................................................................................................. 30
Table 1.1.11 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by current
or likely college major of the survey participant .............................................................................. 30
Table 1.1.12 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by gender
of the survey participant ............................................................................................................................ 31
Table 1.1.13 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out for
students in public or private colleges ................................................................................................... 31
Table 1.1.14 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by type of
domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant............................................................ 31
Table 1.1.15 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by
employment circumstance of the survey participant ..................................................................... 31

Table 1.1.16 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by sexual
orientation of the survey participant .................................................................................................... 32
Table 1.1.17 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by ACT or
SAT scores of the survey participant ..................................................................................................... 32
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 1.1.18 Have you ever reserved a library group study room? Broken out by racial or
ethnic identity of the survey participant ............................................................................................. 32
Table 1.2.1 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? .............................. 33
Table 1.2.2 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
Carnegie class ................................................................................................................................................. 33
Table 1.2.3 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
age of survey participant............................................................................................................................ 33
Table 1.2.4 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out for
survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of origin ....................................... 33
Table 1.2.5 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out
regional origins of the survey participant ........................................................................................... 34
Table 1.2.6 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
college year class standing ........................................................................................................................ 34
Table 1.2.7 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
approximate student family annual income ....................................................................................... 34
Table 1.2.8 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
degree of religiosity of the survey participant .................................................................................. 35
Table 1.2.9 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
type of political beliefs of the survey participant ............................................................................. 35
Table 1.2.10 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
college grades of the survey participant .............................................................................................. 35

Table 1.2.11 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
current or likely college major of the survey participant.............................................................. 36
Table 1.2.12 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
gender of the survey participant ............................................................................................................. 36
Table 1.2.13 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out for
students in public or private colleges ................................................................................................... 36
Table 1.2.14 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant ............................................. 37
Table 1.2.15 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
employment circumstance of the survey participant ..................................................................... 37
Table 1.2.16 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
sexual orientation of the survey participant ...................................................................................... 37
Table 1.2.17 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant ...................................................................................... 38
Table 1.2.18 Have you ever reserved a library single person study room? Broken out by
racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ........................................................................... 38
Table 1.3.1 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room?................................ 38
Table 1.3.2 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
Carnegie class ................................................................................................................................................. 39
Table 1.3.3 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by age
of survey participant.................................................................................................................................... 39
Table 1.3.4 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out for
survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of origin ....................................... 39
Table 1.3.5 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out
regional origins of the survey participant ........................................................................................... 40
Table 1.3.6 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
college year class standing ........................................................................................................................ 40
Table 1.3.7 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
approximate student family annual income ....................................................................................... 40
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 1.3.8 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
degree of religiosity of the survey participant .................................................................................. 41
Table 1.3.9 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
type of political beliefs of the survey participant ............................................................................. 41
Table 1.3.10 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
college grades of the survey participant .............................................................................................. 41
Table 1.3.11 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
current or likely college major of the survey participant.............................................................. 42
Table 1.3.12 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
gender of the survey participant ............................................................................................................. 42
Table 1.3.13 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out for
students in public or private colleges ................................................................................................... 42
Table 1.3.14 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant............................................. 43
Table 1.3.15 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
employment circumstance of the survey participant ..................................................................... 43
Table 1.3.16 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
sexual orientation of the survey participant ...................................................................................... 43
Table 1.3.17 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant ...................................................................................... 44
Table 1.3.18 Have you ever used a specialized library technology room? Broken out by
racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ........................................................................... 44
Table 2 How many times have you used each of the following in the past month? ................ 45
Table 2.1.1 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month?............................................................................................................................................................... 45
Table 2.1.2 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past

month? Broken out by Carnegie class ................................................................................................... 45
Table 2.1.3 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by age of survey participant ............................................................................. 45
Table 2.1.4 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out for survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of
origin .................................................................................................................................................................. 46
Table 2.1.5 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out regional origins of the survey participant ................................................... 46
Table 2.1.6 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by college year class standing .......................................................................... 46
Table 2.1.7 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by approximate student family annual income......................................... 47
Table 2.1.8 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by degree of religiosity of the survey participant .................................... 47
Table 2.1.9 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by type of political beliefs of the survey participant ............................... 48
Table 2.1.10 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by college grades of the survey participant ................................................ 48
Table 2.1.11 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by current or likely college major of the survey participant ............... 49
Table 2.1.12 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by gender of the survey participant .............................................................. 49
Table 2.1.13 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out for students in public or private colleges .................................................... 49
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 2.1.14 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past

month? Broken out by type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant
.............................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Table 2.1.15 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by employment circumstance of the survey participant ....................... 50
Table 2.1.16 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by sexual orientation of the survey participant ........................................ 51
Table 2.1.17 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant ....................................... 51
Table 2.1.18 How many times have you used a library group study room in the past
month? Broken out by racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ............................. 52
Table 2.2.1 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month?............................................................................................................................................................... 52
Table 2.2.2 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by Carnegie class ................................................................................................... 52
Table 2.2.3 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by age of survey participant ............................................................................. 53
Table 2.2.4 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out for survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of
origin .................................................................................................................................................................. 53
Table 2.2.5 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out regional origins of the survey participant ................................................... 53
Table 2.2.6 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by college year class standing .......................................................................... 54
Table 2.2.7 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by approximate student family annual income......................................... 54
Table 2.2.8 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by degree of religiosity of the survey participant .................................... 55
Table 2.2.9 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the past
month? Broken out by type of political beliefs of the survey participant ............................... 55
Table 2.2.10 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the

past month? Broken out by college grades of the survey participant ...................................... 56
Table 2.2.11 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by current or likely college major of the survey participant ...... 56
Table 2.2.12 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by gender of the survey participant ..................................................... 56
Table 2.2.13 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out for students in public or private colleges .......................................... 57
Table 2.2.14 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey
participant ....................................................................................................................................................... 57
Table 2.2.15 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by employment circumstance of the survey participant ............. 58
Table 2.2.16 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by sexual orientation of the survey participant .............................. 58
Table 2.2.17 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant .............................. 58
Table 2.2.18 How many times have you used a library single person study room in the
past month? Broken out by racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ................... 59
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 2.3.1 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? ..................................................................................................................................................... 59
Table 2.3.2 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by Carnegie class ......................................................................................... 59
Table 2.3.3 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by age of survey participant.................................................................... 60
Table 2.3.4 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the

past month? Broken out for survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of
origin .................................................................................................................................................................. 60
Table 2.3.5 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out regional origins of the survey participant ......................................... 60
Table 2.3.6 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by college year class standing ................................................................ 61
Table 2.3.7 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by approximate student family annual income ............................... 61
Table 2.3.8 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by degree of religiosity of the survey participant........................... 62
Table 2.3.9 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by type of political beliefs of the survey participant ..................... 62
Table 2.3.10 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by college grades of the survey participant ...................................... 63
Table 2.3.11 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by current or likely college major of the survey participant ...... 63
Table 2.3.12 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by gender of the survey participant ..................................................... 63
Table 2.3.13 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out for students in public or private colleges .......................................... 64
Table 2.3.14 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey
participant ....................................................................................................................................................... 64
Table 2.3.15 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by employment circumstance of the survey participant ............. 64
Table 2.3.16 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by sexual orientation of the survey participant .............................. 65
Table 2.3.17 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the
past month? Broken out by ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant .............................. 65
Table 2.3.18 How many times have you used a specialized library technology room in the

past month? Broken out by racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ................... 65
What technology, device or practice might make your library's group or personal study
rooms better? Broken out by students in public or private colleges: ........................................... 66
Table 3.1 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 77
Table 3.2 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by Carnegie class .................................................................................................................. 77
Table 3.3 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by age of survey participant............................................................................................. 78
Table 3.4 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out for survey participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of origin ....... 78
Table 3.5 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out regional origins of the survey participant .................................................................. 79
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 3.6 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by college year class standing ......................................................................................... 79
Table 3.7 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by approximate student family annual income ........................................................ 80
Table 3.8 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by degree of religiosity of the survey participant ................................................... 81
Table 3.9 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it? Broken out by type of political beliefs of the survey participant .............................................. 82
Table 3.10 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by college grades of the survey participant .................................................... 82
Table 3.11 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by current or likely college major of the survey participant.................... 83

Table 3.12 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by gender of the survey participant ................................................................... 84
Table 3.13 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out for students in public or private colleges ........................................................ 84
Table 3.14 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by type of domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant... 85
Table 3.15 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by employment circumstance of the survey participant ........................... 86
Table 3.16 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by sexual orientation of the survey participant ............................................ 86
Table 3.17 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by ACT or SAT scores of the survey participant ............................................ 87
Table 3.18 How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you
need it? Broken out by racial or ethnic identity of the survey participant ................................. 88
Table 4.1 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. ........................................... 90
Table 4.2 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by
Carnegie class ...................................................................................................................................................... 90
Table 4.3 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by age of
survey participant ............................................................................................................................................. 90
Table 4.4 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out for survey
participants from rural, suburban and urban areas of origin .......................................................... 91
Table 4.5 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out regional
origins of the survey participant.................................................................................................................. 91
Table 4.6 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by college
year class standing ............................................................................................................................................ 92
Table 4.7 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by
approximate student family annual income............................................................................................ 92
Table 4.8 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by degree
of religiosity of the survey participant ...................................................................................................... 93
Table 4.9 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by type of

political beliefs of the survey participant ................................................................................................. 94
Table 4.10 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by college
grades of the survey participant .................................................................................................................. 94
Table 4.11 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by
current or likely college major of the survey participant .................................................................. 95
Table 4.12 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by gender
of the survey participant ................................................................................................................................. 95
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Table 4.13 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out for
students in public or private colleges ........................................................................................................ 96
Table 4.14 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by type of
domestic housing arrangement of the survey participant ................................................................ 96
Table 4.15 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by
employment circumstance of the survey participant .......................................................................... 97
Table 4.16 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by sexual
orientation of the survey participant ......................................................................................................... 97
Table 4.17 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by ACT or
SAT scores of the survey participant.......................................................................................................... 98
Table 4.18 Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms. Broken out by racial
or ethnic identity of the survey participant............................................................................................. 98

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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

THE QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Please fill in the following contact information. If you win the drawing your Amazon
card will be sent to this email address.
A.
B.
C.

Name:
Name of College that You Attend:
Email Address:

2. How old are you? (answer in number of years) e.g., "19" 0r "23" Do not include
fractions or descriptive phrases such as "years old"
3. Choose the phrase which best describes where you grew up before you went to
college. If more than one answer applies to you, choose the one that you feel best
reflects who you believe that you are.
A.
B.
C.
D.

I grew up in a major city with more than 350,000 people
I grew up in a small or medium sized city with less than 350,000 people.
I grew up in a suburban area
I grew up in a rural area.

4. I grew up mostly in:
A.
B.
C.

D.
E.
F.

The South
The Northeast
The Midwest
The West
in Canada
Abroad (other than Canada)

5. This semester I am a:
A.
B.
C.
D.

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Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

6. The approximate annual income level of my family of origin (your Mom & Dad or
legal guardian) was:
For students over the age of 40 use your current family income.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Less than $45,000 per year
$45,000 to $80,000 per year
$80,000+ to $150,000 per year
More than $150,000 per year

7. How would you describe your relationship with organized religion?
A.

I practice a religion thoroughly and consider my religion to be a very important
part of my life.
B. I practice a religion and try to attend regular services and to participate as much
as I can.
C. I identify with a religion but can't say I put a lot of effort into practicing it.
D. I don't really believe in or practice an organized religion.
8. Choose the phrase that best describes your political views:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Very Left Wing
Liberal
Middle of the Road
Conservative

Very Right Wing

9. Which phrase best describes your college academic performance? (If you have not
yet received any grades choose what your tests and other experiences suggest will
be your grades)
A.
B.
C.
D.

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A or A- average or more
B or B+ average
C or C+ average
D or D+ average or less


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

10. Choose the phrase that best describes your academic major or likely major:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

Business, Economics or Finance

Fine Arts or Performing Arts
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Pre-Med, Nursing
Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science
Philosophy, History, English, Classics, Languages
Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Education or other Social
Science
Other (please specify)

11. You are:
A.
B.
C.

Male
Female
Transgender

12. Your college is:
A.
B.
C.

A public college
A private college
I'm not sure

13. Currently you live:
A.
B.
C.

D.
E.

At home with my parents or guardian
Off campus with others who are not my parents or guardian
Off campus alone
In Fraternity or Sorority Supplied Housing
On campus in the dorms or college-provided suites

14. Which phrase best describes your current employment situation:
A.
B.
C.

I don't have a full or part time job.
I have a part time job.
I have a full time job.

15. Which phrase best describes your sexual orientation?
A. Heterosexual/Straight
B. Homosexual/Gay
C. Bisexual
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

D. Other (please specify)
16. Which category best captures your highest overall SAT or ACT score? The SAT
score is based on the new 1600 point standard so if you were tested under the old

2400 point standard it would be 2/3 of this score.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

30 or over ACT or 1350 or over SAT
24-29 ACT or 1170 to 1349 SAT
20-23 ACT or 1050 to 1169 SAT
17-19 ACT or 900 to 1050 SAT
16 or Under ACT or Under 900 SAT
Never Took Either Test

17. Which phrase best describes your racial or ethnic identity?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Caucasian
Black
Hispanic
Asian
American Indian/Indigenous
Mixed Race

18. Have you ever reserved any of the following? Check all that apply
A.
B.
C.

Library group study room
Library single person study room
Use of a specialized library technology room

19. How many times have you used each of the following in the past month?
A.
B.
C.

Library group study room
Library single person study room
Use of a specialized library technology room

20. What technology, device or practice might make your library's group or personal
study rooms better?

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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

21. How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need
it?
A.
B.

C.
D.
E.

Not so easy, they are often occupied
I can usually get one though not always when I need it
I can usually get what I need when I need it
I never have a problem and can always get a room when needed
Other (please specify)

22. Award a letter grade to your library's group study rooms.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

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A
B
C
D
F
Don't Know or Unsure


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Characteristics of the Sample
Carnegie class
#
401
353

BA
Master's Colleges
Doctoral Universities: Moderate and
Higher Research Activity
Doctoral Universities: Highest Research
Activity
Total

250
136
1140

How old are you? (answer in number of years) e.g., "19" 0r "23"Do not include fractions or
descriptive phrases such as "years old"

19 or younger
20
21
22
23-30
Over 30
Total

#

304
202
193
134
206
101
1140

Choose the phrase which best describes where you grew up before you went to college. If
more than one answer applies to you, choose the one that you feel best reflects who you
believe that you are.
#
I grew up in a major city with more
than 350,000 people
I grew up in a small or medium sized
city with less than 350,000 people.
I grew up in a suburban area
I grew up in a rural area.
Total

15 | P a g e

202
264
380
294
1140


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

I grew up mostly in:

The South
The Northeast
The Midwest
The West
Abroad
Total

#
197
300
242
347
54
1140

This semester I am a:
#
237
246
255
402
1140

Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

Total

The approximate annual income level of my family of origin (your Mom & Dad or legal
guardian) was? For students over the age of 40 use your current family income.

Less than $45,000 per year
$45,000 to $80,000 per year
$80,000+ to $150,000 per year
More than $150,000 per year
Income not specified
Total

#
245
347
362
165
21
1140

How would you describe your relationship with organized religion?
#
I practice a religion thoroughly and consider my religion to
be a very important part of my life.
I practice a religion and try to attend regular services and to
participate as much as I can.
I identify with a religion but can't say I put a lot of effort into
practicing it.
I don't really believe in or practice an organized religion.
Total

16 | P a g e

194
164
354
428
1140


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Choose the phrase that best describes your political views:
Very Left Wing
Liberal
Middle of the Road
Conservative
Very Right Wing
No views specified
Total

#
117
409
393
196
20
5
1140

Which phrase best describes your college academic performance? (If you have not yet
received any grades choose what your tests and other experiences suggest will be your
grades)

A or A- average or more
B or B+ average
C or C+ average or less
Total

#
547
505
88
1140

Choose the phrase that best describes your academic major or likely major:

Business, Economics or Finance
Fine Arts or Performing Arts
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Pre-Med, Nursing
Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science
Philosophy, History, English, Classics,
Languages
Psychology, Sociology, Political Science,
Anthropology, Education or other Social
Science
Total

#
139

79
313
155
117
337
1140

You are:
Male
Female
Transgender
Total

17 | P a g e

#
389
730
21
1140


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Your college is:
A public college
A private college
Total

#

684
456
1140

Currently you live:

At home with my parents or guardian
Off campus with others who are not my
parents or guardian
Off campus alone
In Fraternity or Sorority Supplied Housing
On campus in the dorms or collegeprovided suites
Total

#
113
411
101
17
498
1140

Which phrase best describes your current employment situation:

I don't have a full or part time job.
I have a part time job.
I have a full time job.
Total

#

378
618
144
1140

Which phrase best describes your sexual orientation?

Heterosexual/Straight
Homosexual/Gay
Bisexual/pansexual
Total

#
927
68
145
1140

Which category best captures your highest overall SAT or ACT score? The SAT score is
based on the new 1600 point standard so if you were tested under the old 2400 point
standard it would be 2/3 of this score.

30 or over ACT or 1350 or over SAT
24-29 ACT or 1170 to 1349 SAT
20-23 ACT or 1050 to 1169 SAT
17-19 ACT or 900 to 1050 SAT
16 or Under ACT or Under 900 SAT
Never Took Either Test
Total
18 | P a g e

#
302
419
236
77
6
100
1140


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Which phrase best describes your racial or ethnic identity?

Caucasian
Black
Hispanic
Asian
American Indian/Indigenous
Mixed Race
Total

19 | P a g e

#
862
47
93
59

9
70
1140


Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

SUMMARY OF MAIN FINDINGS
Have you ever reserved a library group study room?
Over 51% of respondents reported reserving a group study room. The percentage was
higher for respondents from Doctoral Universities: Moderate and Higher Research Activity
(66.80%) and Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity (56.62%) than for BA and
Master’s colleges (44.14% and 46.46%, respectively). Students in public colleges were
more likely to have reserved a group study room than students in private colleges (54.97%
vs. 45.83%).
American Indian/Indigenous students were the most likely to report using a group study
room (66.67%), followed by mixed race students (58.57%), Asian students (57.63%),
Caucasian students (51.16%), Hispanic students (47.31%), and Black students (40.43%).
Male students were somewhat more likely to have reserved a group study room than
female students (53.21% vs. 50.68%), while transgender students were the least likely to
have reserved a group study room (38.10%). Gay students were more likely to have used a
group study room (58.82%) than straight (51.02%) or bisexual/pansexual students
(49.66%). Students aged 22 or 21 were more likely than students of other ages to have
reserved a group study room (61.94% and 58.03%, respectively), while students over 30
were the least likely (34.65%). Students who grew up in major cities (58.42%) and in the
South (56.85%) or West (55.91%) were more likely to have reserved a group study room.
Students in families with annual incomes over $150,000 per year were more likely to have
reserved a group study room (58.79%) than students from other income groups. Students
who lived alone off-campus were least likely to have used a group study room (36.63%).
Students who lived in fraternity or sorority housing were most likely (58.82%), closely

followed by students living off campus with others who are not their parents (57.42%).
Students who indicated a high degree of religiosity were less likely than less religious
respondents to have reserved a group study room (41.75%). Very left wing and liberal
students were more likely (56.41% and 57.21%, respectively) to report reserving a group
study room than were middle of the road (45.04%), conservative (49.49%) or very right
wing (45.00%) students.
As one would expect, class standing was correlated with likelihood, with seniors the most
likely (57.46%), followed by juniors (53.73%), sophomores (50.00%), and freshmen
(39.66%). In general, students with higher ACT or SAT scores were more likely to report
having used a group study room than were students with lower scores. Results did not vary
greatly by academic performance or major.

Have you ever reserved a library single person study room?
Overall, 22.18% of respondents reported having reserved a single-person study room.
Students from Doctoral Universities: Moderate and Higher Research Activity were the least
likely to have done so (16.80%), while there was little variation among respondents from
other types of institutions. Students in private colleges were slightly more likely to have
reserved a single-person room (22.81% vs. 21.78%).
American Indian/Indigenous students were most likely to report having reserved a singleperson room (33.33%), followed by Hispanic students (30.11%), Asian students (28.81%),
mixed-race students (24.29%), Black students (23.40%), and Caucasian students (20.53%).
Male students (24.42%) were more likely than female students (21.10%) or transgender
students (19.05%) to have reserved a single-person room. Gay students were less likely
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

(14.71%) than either straight (22.76%) or bisexual/pansexual students (22.07%) to have
done so. Students aged 21 (25.39%), 20 (24.75%) or 23-30 (24.27%) were more likely to
report using a single-person study room than were students 19 or younger (19.08%) or

over 30 (13.86%). Students who grew up in a major city (24.26%), abroad (31.48%) or in
the South (29.95%) were more likely to report having reserved a single-person study room
than were students who grew up elsewhere.
Results did not vary much by students’ family income, though respondents who did not
specify an income were more likely than other groups to report having used a singleperson room. Results also varied little based on the degree of religiosity of respondents.
Students who reported their political views as very left-wing (26.50%) and very right-wing
(25.00%) were more likely than their more moderate counterparts to report having
reserved a single-person room. Students living in fraternity or sorority housing were
substantially more likely to have reserved a single-person room (41.18%) than students in
other types of housing; students living alone off-campus were least likely (14.85%).
Students with full-time jobs were less likely (15.28%) to have reserved a single-person
room than were students employed part-time (23.95%) or not at all (21.96%).
Seniors were the most likely to report reserving a single-use room (26.87%), followed by
sophomores (23.17%), juniors (20.78%) and freshmen (14.77%). Students reporting a B or
B+ average were most likely to have reserved a single-person room (24.95%), while
students reporting a C or C+ average were the least likely (19.32%). Use of single-person
rooms does not seem to correlate with ACT or SAT scores, though respondents who took
neither test were the least likely to report having reserved such a room. Students majoring
in fine arts or performing arts were the most likely to report reserving a single-person
room (26.58%), while students majoring in philosophy, history, English, classics, or
languages were the least likely (15.38%).

Have you ever used a specialized library technology room?
Overall, only 13.25% of respondents reported having used a specialized technology room.
Students from BA-granting institutions (14.21%) and Doctoral Universities: Moderate and
Higher Research Activity (14.00%) were more likely to have used such a room, while
students from Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity were the least likely.
Students at private colleges were somewhat more likely to have used a technology room
than were students from public colleges (14.69% vs. 12.28%).
Mixed-race students were the most likely to report using a technology room (20.00%),

followed by Hispanic students (17.20%), Black students (14.89%), Caucasian students
(12.53%), and Asian students (10.17%). No American Indian/Indigenous students
reported using a technology room. Transgender students were the most likely to report
using a technology room (23.81%), followed by male (14.91%) and female (12.05%)
students. Bisexual/pansexual students were more likely (19.31%) than their straight
(12.51%) or gay (10.39%) counterparts to have used a technology room. 22-year-old
students were the most likely to report using a technology room (18.66%), while students
over 30 were the least likely (6.93%). Students who reported growing up in a major city
(16.83%), abroad (22.22%), or in the South (17.77%) were the most likely to have used a
technology room, while students from rural areas (9.52%) and the Midwest (9.92%) were
the least likely. The most religious students were less likely (9.79%) than their lessreligious peers to report reserving a technology room. Students who described their
political beliefs as middle-of-the-road (11.45%) were least likely to have used a technology
room, while students who described their views as very right-wing (20.00%) or who did
not specify their views (20.00%) were most likely to have done so.
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

Use varied inconsistently with income; students who did not specify family income were
the most likely to have used a technology room (28.57%), while among students who did
report family income, rates varied from 14.64% for those with a family income of $80,000150,000 per year to 11.84% for those with a family income of less than $45,000 per year.
Once again, students in fraternity or sorority housing were heavier users (23.53%) than
were students in other groups. Those least likely to use a technology room were students
living at home with a parent or guardian (7.08%) or off campus alone (8.91%). Usage
varied only slightly by employment; students with no jobs were slightly less likely
(12.70%) than students with part-time (13.43%) or full-time (13.89%) employment to
have used a technology room.
Use of technology rooms correlated with class standing, with seniors the most likely to
have used one (16.43%) and freshmen the least likely (6.33%). Students reporting a B or

B+ average were more likely to report using a technology room (15.64%) than students
with an A or A- average (11.52%) or a C or C+ average (10.23%). Students majoring in fine
arts or performing arts (18.99%) or philosophy, history, English, classics, or languages
(17.09%) were the most likely to have used a technology room, while students majoring in
biology, physics, chemistry, pre-med, or nursing (10.86%) and engineering, mathematics,
or computer science (10.97%) were the least likely. Usage seemed to correlate with
ACT/SAT scores, with students scoring highest on these tests more likely to have used a
technology room than lower-scoring students.

How many times have you used each of the following in the past month?
Group study room
The mean across all respondents was 2.08 uses in the past month, with a median of 0.00, a
minimum of 0.00, and a maximum of 70.00. The mean was slightly higher for students in
Master’s Colleges (2.33). There was little difference in mean usage among students in
public (2.10) and private (2.06) institutions.
American Indian/Indigenous students had the highest mean monthly usage (4.00), while
Asian students had the lowest (1.98). Male students had higher mean monthly usage (2.24)
than female (2.03) or transgender students (0.77). The mean monthly usage was higher for
19- and 20-year old students (2.36 and 2.45, respectively) and lowest for students over 30
(1.47). Bisexual/pansexual (2.61) and gay (2.49) students had higher mean usage than did
straight students (1.97). Mean monthly usage was also higher for students who grew up in
a major city (2.54) or small or medium sized city (2.70) or in the West (2.76). Mean
monthly usage was highest among students describing their political beliefs as liberal
(2.39) or very left wing (2.20) and lowest among those describing their political beliefs as
very right wing (1.35) or who indicated a high degree of religiosity (1.44).
Results by family income showed no discernible pattern. Students in fraternity or sorority
housing had higher mean monthly usage (3.25) than students in other housing
arrangements, while students who lived off campus alone had the lowest mean usage
(1.12). Unemployed students had lower mean usage (1.79) than those with part-time
(2.24) or full-time (2.22) jobs.

Sophomores had a higher mean monthly usage (2.77) than other groups. Students with a B
or B+ average had somewhat higher mean usage (2.20). Students majoring in engineering,
mathematics, or computer science had the highest mean usage (2.63), while students
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

majoring in philosophy, history, English, classics, or languages had the lowest (1.12). Usage
did not vary dramatically or consistently by ACT/SAT scores.
Single-person study room
The mean monthly usage for single-person study rooms across the entire sample was 1.19.
Students in BA and Masters’ colleges had higher mean usage (1.54 and 1.31, respectively)
than students in Doctoral institutions, while students in private colleges had slightly higher
mean usage (1.25) than students in public colleges (1.14).
American Indian/Indigenous students reported the highest mean monthly usage (3.83),
followed by Black students (3.00), mixed-race students (2.04), Hispanic students (1.66),
Caucasian students (1.01), and Asian students (0.69). Male students reported higher mean
monthly usage (1.23) than female students (1.18), and both reported significantly higher
mean monthly usage than transgender students (0.46). Bisexual/pansexual students
reported higher mean monthly usage (1.47) than straight (1.17) or gay (0.72) students.
Students 23-30 years old (1.63) and 19 or younger (1.58) had higher mean monthly usage
than other age groups. Students who grew up in small or medium sized cities (1.78) or in
the Northeast (1.32) had higher mean usage. Students reporting a high (1.46) or moderate
(1.60) degree of religiosity had higher mean usage than their less-religious counterparts.
Students who reported very left wing political beliefs had higher mean usage (1.81) than
their less-liberal counterparts, while students reporting very right wing political beliefs
had the lowest mean usage (1.00).
Students who did not specify their family income had significantly higher mean usage
(5.50) than other income groups. Among the rest, those who reported lower family

incomes had higher mean usage. Students who lived at home with a parent or guardian
reported higher mean monthly usage (1.82) than students with other living arrangements,
while students who lived off campus alone reported the lowest mean monthly usage (0.84).
Employed students reported slightly higher mean monthly usage than unemployed
students.
Sophomores reported higher mean monthly usage (1.58) than students with other class
standings. Students with B or B+ averages reported higher mean usage (1.69) than the
A/A- students (0.84) or C/C+ students (0.38). Students majoring in engineering,
mathematics, or computer science reported the highest mean monthly usage (1.86) while
students majoring in business, economics, or finance reported the lowest (0.67). Results
did not vary consistently by ACT/SAT scores.
Technology room
Mean monthly use across the entire sample was lower for technology rooms than other
types of rooms, only 0.63 compared to 1.19 for single person rooms and 2.08 for group
study rooms. Students from BA institutions (0.80) and private colleges (0.71) reported
higher mean usage than did students from other types of institutions.
Mixed race students reported the highest mean monthly usage (1.47), followed by Black
(0.67), Asian (0.65), Caucasian (0.57), and Hispanic students (0.54). No American
Indian/Indigenous students reported using a technology room at all. Female (0.72) and
transgender (0.60) students reported higher mean monthly usage than did male students
(0.49). Bisexual/pansexual students reported higher mean usage (1.45) than straight
(0.52) or gay (0.21) students. Students 23-30 (0.95) and 19 and younger (0.94) reported
higher mean monthly usage than other age groups. Students who grew up in a small or
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

medium sized city (0.92) and abroad (1.70) had higher mean monthly usage than students
from other places. Students who reported their political views as very right wing (1.54) or

very left wing (1.18) had the highest mean monthly usage, while students who did not
specify their views reported the lowest (0.25). Results did not vary much by religiosity.
Students reporting a family income of $45,000-80,000 per year reported the highest mean
monthly usage (0.92), while students with a family income of over $150,000 per year
reported the lowest (0.22). Students living at home with a parent or guardian (1.60) and
students living off campus alone (1.34) reported higher mean usage than students with
other living arrangements; students living off campus with people other than a parent or
guardian reported the lowest (0.26). Students with full-time jobs reported higher mean
usage (1.03) than students with no employment (0.78) or part-time jobs (0.46).
Freshmen reported higher mean usage (0.81) than students with other class standings, as
did students with B or B+ averages (0.82). Students majoring in fine arts or performing arts
reported the highest mean monthly usage (1.49), followed by students majoring in
engineering, mathematics, or computer science (0.91). Students with moderately high
ACT/SAT scores and students who did not take the ACT or SAT reported higher mean
usage than students with scores in other ranges.

What technology, device or practice might make group or personal study rooms
better?
We received 387 responses to this question. Responses that mentioned something specific
related to study rooms, a total of 274 responses, were coded and analyzed. General
responses (e.g. “N/A” or “They’re great”) or responses that seemed to relate to the library
in general rather than to study rooms were not coded. The table below lists all coded
responses mentioned by at least 5 respondents.
Response category

Number of
responses
mentioning
category
Projectors or screens

56
Whiteboards
42
Computers
40
Quiet/privacy
30
Smart boards
22
More study rooms
15
More power outlets
14
Whiteboard markers
14
Single person rooms
10
Specialized software
9
Tablets
9
Desks/tables
8
Cables/connectors
8
Printing
7
Comfortable furniture
7
Lighting

7
Chairs
5
Climate control (heat, air 5
conditioning)
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Survey of American College Students: Use of Library Specialized Technology, Group & Individual Study Rooms

How easy is it to get a library group study or personal study room when you need it?
Among respondents who answered this question, 54.89% indicated they can usually or
always get a group or personal study room when they need one, while 11.82% indicated
that getting a room is not so easy, because they are often occupied. Students in BA-level
institutions were the most likely to report being able to get a study room usually or always
(59.10%), while students at doctoral universities with the highest research activity were
the least likely (48.12%). Students at public colleges were more likely to report getting
rooms usually or always (56.27%) than students at private colleges (52.90%).
Caucasian, mixed-race, and Hispanic respondents were more likely to report being able to
get a room always or usually (56.22%, 56.14%, and 56.06%, respectively), while Black,
American Indian/Indigenous and Asian students were least likely (50.00%, 42.86% and
38.77%, respectively). Transgender and male students were more likely to report getting a
room always or usually (60.00% and 58.41%, respectively), than women (52.77%).
Bisexual/pansexual and straight students were more likely to report getting rooms always
or usually (58.93% and 54.73% respectively) than gay students (49.15%). Students aged
20 were the most likely to report getting a room usually or always (58.93%), while
students over 30 were the least likely (45.10%). Students who grew up in small or medium
sized cities (62.64%), rural areas (60.44%), the South (60.26%) and the Midwest (60.41%)
were more likely than students from other areas to report getting rooms usually or always.
Respondents who reported their political views as conservative (60.79%) or who did not

specify their views (66.66%) were most likely to report getting a room usually or always,
as were highly religious students (60.87%).
Respondents with family incomes of $80,000-150,000 per year (61.83%) were most likely
to report getting rooms usually or always, while those with incomes over $150,000
(49.23%) or who did not specify income (37.50%) were least likely to do so. Respondents
who lived at home (58.33%) were most likely to report getting rooms usually or always,
while respondents in fraternity or sorority housing were least likely (47.05%). Access to
study rooms tracked somewhat with employment status; respondents with full time jobs
were least likely to report getting rooms usually or always (50.51%), while unemployed
respondents were most likely (59.17%).
Seniors were somewhat less likely than other respondents to report getting rooms usually
or always (50.94%). C or C+ students were most likely to report getting rooms usually or
always (67.17%), followed by B or B+ students (56.05%) and A or A- students (51.80%).
Respondents majoring in fine or performing arts were most likely to report getting rooms
usually or always (66.66%), while those majoring in biology, physics, chemistry, pre-med,
or nursing were least likely (50.19%). Those whose ACT/SAT scores were mid-range (2023 ACT or 1050-1169 SAT) were most likely to report getting rooms usually or always
(66.27%), while those with the lowest scores were least likely (40.00%).

Award a letter grade to your library’s group study rooms
Overall, most respondents gave their library’s group study rooms an A (32.61%) or B
(45.50%). Only 1.63% gave them a D or F. Respondents from institutions classed as
Doctoral Universities: Moderate and Higher Research Activity were most likely to give
study rooms an A or B (81.22%), while respondents from Doctoral Universities: Highest
Research Activity were least likely (74.07%). Students from private colleges were
somewhat more likely to rate study rooms an A or B (80.00%) than students from public
colleges (76.83%).
25 | P a g e