Library Loop

Inclusive Library Study Clubs

A project by King’s librarians Angus Sinclair, Anna-Lena Kleinert, Owen Proctor-Jackson, Patricia Atkins, Robin Staniland, Sara Montalti

At King’s Libraries & Collections, we work with students to bring their needs and ideas into developing our services, spaces and collections. We recruit students to join user experience research, or co-creation sessions with librarians, via the Library Champions programme.

Why Study Clubs in libraries?

During a past Library Champion project, we received this heartfelt comment from a student about the struggles of focusing on studies and connecting with classmates:

To address this, we wanted to explore whether and how study clubs in our libraries might help. We’d like to build a welcoming environment that encourages productivity while helping students make new friends and support each other. In a pilot event, we used the Shut Up and Write format, which mixes focused study time with short breaks to keep everyone energised.

Gathering student insight

We brought together nine Library Champion students, particularly focusing on students facing challenges related to disability and neurodiversity, to help us create a more inclusive study club environment in our libraries.

On October 9th 2024, we had a two-hour session at the Franklin-Wilkins Library, where we gathered their thoughts and feedback using some User Experience (UX) methods.

We kicked things off with a LEGO icebreaker. Participants built their dream study environments using LEGO bricks, which is a fantastic way to spark creativity and let everyone express themselves.

Next, we tried out brainwriting. Everyone wrote down their ideas about certain questions for a few minutes, then passed them to the next person to build on. The Library Champions tackled seven questions about their study club preferences, the pros and cons of using library spaces, and their thoughts on the “Shut Up and Write” format.

To wrap things up, we used cognitive mapping, where participants drew their ideal study environments in red, blue, and green. They shared their sketches with each other and explained what they wanted to express.

What we learnt

We received valuable feedback from our Library Champions on study spaces, social interactions, and session formats.

Participants expressed a liking for study environments with natural light, greenery, and comfortable seating like beanbags and sofas. They wanted flexible areas for both solo and group work, emphasising large tables and easy access to water and restrooms.

Opinions on quietness varied; some preferred distraction-free areas, while others enjoyed minimal social interaction. Some Champions appreciated studying near friends, stating, “It makes me happy to be studying with friends,” while others preferred solitude under pressure.

We explored study session formats, especially the “Shut Up and Write” model, which some of our participants found useful while others found the changes between activity intervals too fast. Many found accountability helpful, with one participant noting,

Suggestions included offering rewards to boost motivation. Comments on neurodiversity highlighted the need for an understanding facilitator and clear session expectations.

Finally, while participants noted the library's excellent resources and quieter atmosphere, some felt intimidated when entering alone and mentioned that its location could be inconvenient for accessing classes.

Putting student insight into practice

Following our UX workshop in October, we held a pilot Study Club at the Maughan Library on November 13th 2024. The session, organised by our staff, included two 50-minute study periods with a 10-minute break in between, attended by seven participants.

Our Library Champions expressed a preference for a bright, inviting environment with natural light, greenery, and various seating options. As a result, we selected a room in the library that met these criteria.

We introduced interaction badges because during our User Experience workshop with Library Champions, we found varying interest levels in social interaction within the Study Club. Even so, after a period of silent study it can feel awkward to break the silence, so we are looking at providing conversation prompts or icebreakers at future events as additional options for interaction.

Student feedback overall was very positive and enriched our recommendations for setting up regular Study Clubs in our libraries. Thank you very much to the Library Champions and pilot event attendees who have helped us develop a Study Club concept based on real student feedback, meeting real student needs!

Follow @kings_libraries to find out about Study Clubs in our libraries and book your space as soon as they’re scheduled! We look forward to meeting you there.