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?
Just a few of this 89-page report’s many findings are that:
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Use of personal lockers in the library for faculty was far greater for male than female faculty.
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A higher percentage of younger than older faculty have ever enjoyed access to a private room in the library that can be locked.
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Dissatisfaction with access to private, faculty only places in the academic library was greater among faculty at private than public colleges.
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Use of faculty research rooms in the library was negatively correlated with faculty personal income level.
Data in the report is based on a representative sample of 725 faculty chosen randomly from nearly 500 US colleges and universities.