Research carried out by the developer of ShelfMap as part of his Masters by Research at Manchester Metropolitan University has indicated that students experience reduced anxiety in using the library if they have access to a wayfinding tool.
As part of the research at Goldsmith’s Library, six students were asked to find four items – two without any wayfinding assistance, and two using ShelfMap. A time saving of 39% to find the correct stack was observed when using ShelfMap.
Comments made by the participants using ShelfMap included:
“I would have identified the book [in task 3] a lot quicker [if using ShelfMap].”
“Look, I’m whizzing through”
Another observation was that using companion signage (stack side numbers) in conjunction with ShelfMap boosted navigational success in a way that signage in itself could not.