THE ROLE OF DAYLIGHT IN LIBRARY USERS’ SEAT PREFERENCES

Abstract

Seating that meets the needs and preferences of students can promote a longer stay in libraries and keep students motivated, which in turn influences their emotions and learning abilities. However, existing knowledge on the interaction between daylighting and seating preferences is limited. This study aims to understand what type of spaces are in more demand and the relationship between seat occupancy and daylight availability. Occupancy data of the UCL Bartlett library acquired from motion sensors located underneath each desk was used to assess occupancy, which was then compared to characteristics of space, including daylight availability. The study revealed that although daylight has a considerable impact on students’ seat selection, the seating preference of the students cannot be explained by daylight alone. The seats with a good combination of daylight, outdoor view and privacy are in more demand compared to seats that provide only a high level of daylight. Future research should involve individual perception in addition to occupancy monitoring data, considering daylight conditions together with other components such as privacy, outdoor views, and quietness.