Survey of US Higher Education Faculty 2023, Use of Faculty Research Rooms, Desks and Lockers in the Academic Library

Survey of US Higher Education Faculty 2023, Use of Faculty Research Rooms, Desks and Lockers in the Academic Library

This study looks at the extent of use by college faculty of dedicated faculty research rooms, desks, lockers and other spaces in academic libraries designated for faculty generally, or for specific faculty.  It helps its readers to answer questions such as: what percentage of faculty have access to dedicated faculty research rooms in the academic library?  How many currently use them?  Have ever used them?  What is their extent of use?  How does use break down by academic field, work title, age, gender, and other personal demographic variables?  How does use differ by size and type of college and other institutional variables? How satisfied are faculty with their access to special areas in the library reserved for faculty?We asked: Have you ever enjoyed exclusively for your use in the academic library access to a room that can be locked? Note that previously we asked if survey participants currently enjoyed such access but that now we are asking if they ever enjoyed such access.

23.03% of faculty sampled have ever enjoyed such access. Younger faculty have a history of greater access than older faculty, suggesting that use of private rooms in the library has gained ground in recent years. Once again, use tended to be more common among faculty at lower income levels , among males, and ethnic/racial minority faculty.