Plotting the data on a spreadsheet has its limits, but it seemed like my only viable option whilst moving house. Even with the rules I had set up to colour code it, it was difficult to understand what was going on beyond obvious quantitive patterns.
As soon as we settled into our new house I put the data up on a wall to get a proper view. I was curious to see how technical know-how effects the data in offline and online usage, and this became my first category.
The behaviour scales reflect the main patterns and insights I have derived from my interviews. The wall has worked brilliantly so far: once the data was up there staring back at me like notes from a crime scene, I could begin to see a way from quantitative trends towards some meaningful qualitative truths.
Data on the wall: Behaviour scales supported by an affinity diagram of quotes
Time awareness, reading habits and duration of library visit
Time awareness does not dictate reading habits, but the need to streamline and be economical with low-reward tasks, like visiting the library and catalogue lookup, are important.
These tasks begin as neutral and positive because the informants are looking forward to the outcome. This experience becomes negative when confusion arises: the books is not on the shelf or the lookup returns no results.
The informants who visit the library for longer than the usual periods of time find these experiences luxurious. The library visit is elevated from functional to pleasurable: a mentally calming break from routine similar to meditation.
The myth of device dependency is long gone. The informants (whose level of technological understanding varied widely) all chose a device according to convenience for the task at hand.
When a book takes the informant's fancy, there is a natural inclination to Google it. The regular catalogue users translate this behaviour into searching the library catalogue.
Sole desktop users of the catalogue are rare even though the catalogue is not designed for mobile. Informants use the catalogue in all types of locations, regardless of the desktop site's lack of responsiveness. They simply tough it out, and whilst this demonstrates their commitment as users, it nonetheless creates a negative experience.
Reading habits and browsing preferences
Reading is not restricted by its environment. You can read anywhere: at work, on a tram, or in bed. The informants browse the catalogue in the same context independent way.
Time awareness and openness to communication
All informants seem to be busy people for whom time awareness is a constant, however communicating about books represents an exception to this general rule. Time becomes less important, and what was a focussed rush to get a book borrowed or reserved, can become a less pressured moment in which the informant is open to suggestions and opinions.
Social tendencies and participation in online discussions
Age seems to be the main determinant of the level of social engagement online. This seems expected, and most likely a consequence of the deeper familiarity of young people with digital media in general. The more surprising pattern was that, across all ages, digital communication about books was more likely to be pragmatic ("Have you read this book?", "Could I borrow a copy?") whilst face to face conversations were more likely to be open and discursive ("What did you think of that development?", "How did you feel about the ending?")
Self directed vs social use of the catalogue
Most informants use the catalogue in a purely self directed way. If they encounter an obstacle or difficulty, they tend to figure it our for themselves rather than join a discussion group or make an enquiry (this is evidenced by the correlation of the clusters of browsing preferences and catalogue use). The broad conclusion that might be drawn here is that the library catalogue is essentially a solitary digital space for most people.
Problem-solving behaviour
Informants' problem-solving habits translate into similar behaviours both online and offline. The way people type their query is often similar to the way they might speak to someone they know.
The informants who are self-sufficient and content with their knowledge, or disinterested in help or suggestions by others, tend to deploy a limited range of online enquiry techniques.
