The document discusses using cognitive mapping to understand library services and processes. Cognitive mapping involves having library staff draw a map of their library space and activities over time to identify important areas and routes. Reflecting on the maps can reveal what staff associate with their mental map of the library and what is most important to them. Blank spaces may also provide insight. Combining cognitive mapping with user interviews can provide a well-rounded understanding of how people experience the library.

1. Mapping your
library
Dorothy Halfhide - Laxton Library
Jo Milton – University of Cambridge Medical
Library

2. Library Cognitive Maps:
A tool to understand your services and processes, to identify what’s
broken and to re-design for a better library experience.

3. Traditionally a map is a tool which helps us
understand our worlds and envtionemtn
It documents where we have been and
where we want to get to.
It is a tool of explorariona and
understanding

4. Activity – Part 1
O You have 2 minutes to draw your
library/learning space. Please use the black
pen.
O You have another 2 minutes to add to your
drawing. Using the green pen include extra
detail/areas which are important to you.
O You have another 2 minutes. Using the red
pen please add any further detail. If you can
include an idea of the routes you would
generally take to get from one area to
another.
O Think about the activities that you do as part
of your job

5. Activity – Part 2
O Please label the features on your map
O You have 5 minutes to discuss your map
with your group/partner
O Share with the group

6. Reflections…
O What did you think about the activity?
O What did you draw and did it surprise
you?
O Did you learn anything new about
yourself?
O Can you use this in your organisation?

7. Why use this method
O This method assumes that the things people
most associate with their “mental map” of
the library will appear as elements in the
drawing, and that the most important things
(or strongest associations) will appear
earlier.
O Blank spaces of the drawings can also be
especially informative.
O We recommend utilizing this approach in
conjunction with additional interviewing
methods that can corroborate and add context
to the findings.

8. What Next…
O Use the maps alongside user led tours of
the library. Ask them to highlight likes and
dislikes