ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 315
information anywhere by increasing and boosting access to research, academic and administrative
resources. This modifications were done to further improve productivity of learning and research
offerings with an open standards, orchestrated, high‐quality data communications [40‐41] . The purpose
of this paper intended to understand UAEU Main Library’s performance as an academic library with
wide spread usage of digital data and the users experience within its space.
However based on frequent visits at different times and the expressed concerns from staff and the
librarian managers, the library seems to be almost deserted and limited spaces were used. Hence, this
paper aims to explore the spatial functionality, along user’s behaviors, needs and preferences within
the academic library
2. Materials and Methods
Many aspects play role in identifying how well a building, in general, performs. The three main
elements that have been focused on in the case of UAEU Main Library are the spatial and functional
layout of the library, the student’s behavior in the space and their opinions about it.
This exploratory study relied on combined approaches including, first a survey of the space and
the existing situation of the library’s context as well as observations of the users behavior. Second, a
semi structured pilot interviews with students was conducted to study their perception as well as their
challenges and needs
2.1 Functionality and Behavior Observations
Table 1 explains the observation to the building functionality in accordance to the space attributes
and characteristics explained by Kent [35] (figure 1).
Table 1. Building Function Observation
Principle
Accessibility
Indicator
Connected to the UAEU Crescent building through different indoor and outdoor corridors
(Figures 2)
One of the outdoor corridors is shaded with solar panels while the other is not.
UAEU students only could only access the Library, each gender on specified days.
Vegetation is dispersed on the way to the Library; however, no shading from the trees is being
cast.
and location
Figures 2: Outdoor and indoor accesses to the Library
Form
grey colored floor building (figure
3), with an upper half floor for
offices
high‐none‐operable windows
providing daylight but no views
Figure 3: UAEU Main Library Building
Academic Library’s Challenges and Opportunities: Case Study of
the United Arab Emirates University Library
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