Using Visual Ethnography for Space Studies

Abstract

A space usage study was conducted of the College of Architecture and the College of Education & Human Development on the Texas A&M University - College Station campus. This study used visual ethnography to document when and where these colleges’ undergraduate and graduate students study. The goal of the study was to use this information to inform the library in planning space usage for these student populations. This paper discusses how students use personal and public spaces in their departments, the library, and what they deem as necessities to complete their “home away from home” on-campus experience. The photos and gps database will be added to the library repository collection for future researchers to use.