This poster describes an innovation put in place at the University of Limerick’s Glucksman Library to counter the student practice of reserving library desks. This single site study used mixed methods to explore the phenomenon of students reserving library seats, and to measure the impact and effectiveness of an intervention put in place to alleviate the space constraints caused by the practice. The data from focus groups and surveys provides an understanding of the problem before and after the intervention. The desk clearing initiative described in this study was successful in reducing the practice of seat reserving and thus increasing the availability of seats for use. This research gives library managers practical advice about how to tackle the problem of seat reserving in libraries.

1. Making Every Seat Count in Academic Libraries
Dealing with desk reserving
Michelle.Breen@ul.ie & Louise.OShea@ul.ie
Student feedback
“I think the 45 minute rule is working well. I use the library
a lot and haven’t had to wait for a seat yet”.
1st year, Maths & Physics
“It’s an efficient way to manage seating in the library and I
applaud the library for this undertaking”.
1st year, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
“I come to the library almost everyday, so glad I know I can
still come in week 12 and get a seat. 45mins is enough time
to go get food if people need to leave”.
4th year, Business
Step 2
Student patroller identifies
reserved desks
Step 3
Issue desk notice
Step 5
Release desk for use by
another student
Step 1
Enforce seat booking
policy
Step 4
Box unattended items
More information at
slideshare.net/GlucksmanLibraryUL
81%
Working Well
10%
No Opinion
9%
Not
Working
Every Seat Counts
‘Working Well’ at UL
n = 170