Outreach Projects
We share these public versions of our user research reports to show the importance we place on listening to our users as we develop interfaces and services, and to encourage conversations with others doing similar work. NC State University Libraries has been conducting user research studies for a long time; view earlier reports. For questions, please contact Josh Boyer and Robin Davis.
Projects on this page represent a selection of the work of multiple departments.
Love or Breakup Letter Study
During the week of Valentine's Day 2025, we asked students at the Hill Library and the Hunt Library to write a love or breakup letter to the Libraries in exchange for Libraries-themed valentines and candy. We received an overwhelming amount of love and appreciation for Libraries spaces, services, staff, and resources, as well as some helpful suggestions and feedback.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Libraries Communications, Acquisitions & Discovery, Learning Spaces & Services
Flash Futures Writing Workshop
The Libraries collaborated with NC State University Theatre to offer an intensive workshop bringing people together to write scripts for 10-minute audio scenes from the future.
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Contributing departments: Open Knowledge Center, Non-Library Faculty
Social media survey and talkback boards
Through an email survey and talkback boards (whiteboard surveys), we learned that Instagram is the most popular social media platform by a significant margin. We also learned that users check the Libraries website (not social media) for timely closure info, though they also expect us to post that information on social media channels, too. Participants also said that they wanted the Libraries to post about events and workshops, book highlights and recommendations, behind the scenes, and…
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Contributing departments: Libraries Communications, User Experience, William Rand Kenan, Jr. Library of Veterinary Medicine
Family Backpack Kits at the Libraries
Librarians came together through a Good Ideas Grant–funded project to create family backpack kits, giving parents materials to keep their children engaged at the Libraries while they take advantage of collections, services, and spaces.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research Engagement, Access Services, Learning Spaces & Services, Community Engagement
Beavers: Ecosystem Engineers on Campus
An immersive exhibit about urban beavers and the ecological benefits they provide, including on the NC State campus.
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Contributing departments: Open Knowledge Center, Digital Library Initiatives (DLI)
The Pop-Up Library: A Curated Collection for Events
The pop-up library is a way for us to bring our collections to patrons by curating a small collection of books and other materials related to an event theme. Attendees of the event can check out the books on the spot to continue learning about the topic after the program.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, Open Knowledge Center
Voices of the Russell School
A multifaceted project that brought together members of the local community with the Libraries, the College of Education, and DELTA to present the history and voices of the Historic Russell School, a Rosenwald School built in 1926 in Durham County, North Carolina.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research Engagement, Non-Library Faculty, Learning Spaces & Services
PrideFest Exhibit for LGBTQ+ History Month
An immersive exhibit hosted by the NC State University LGBTQ Pride Center and the Libraries celebrating Pride by highlighting LGBTQ+ history, stories, media, advocacy and accomplishments.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research Engagement
Visualization Spaces Development Kit for Unity Game Engine
Augmenting an industry-standard creative tool to better suit the needs of our students, instructors, researchers, and other campus creators in a one-of-a-kind Libraries space.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research Engagement, Learning Spaces & Services
Showcasing Student Creativity via Holograms
To exhibit student and campus community creativity, the Libraries' Virtual Reality staff have utilized 3D digital displays (or 'holograms') within our buildings. These light field displays allow a better understanding of the creativity, scholarship, and interaction possible via natively 3D media.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & Services
Friends of the Libraries: Usability Study
We conducted a usability study on parts of our website with members of the Friends of the Libraries. While we had positive feedback overall, we identified several areas where the user experience needed improvement.
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Contributing departments: Development, User Experience
Perceptions of the D. H. Hill Library Renovation + Tiny Café
In September 2019, we asked students how much they knew about the ongoing renovation of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. Most knew the entrance to the Hill Library had changed and that there is a renovation going on. They found the signs pointing them to the new entrance useful. Most did not know any further details about the renovation.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Libraries Communications, Harrye B. Lyons Design Library
The Escape Room
An interactive, game-based experience which introduces students to various elements of the library.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & ServicesHow much money did you spend on textbooks?
In March 2018 the Libraries' Alt-Textbook Project team placed whiteboards in the D. H. Hill Jr. and Hunt libraries with the question "How much money did you spend on textbooks?" Students answered.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & Services, Open Knowledge CenterMobile Scavenger Hunt
A mobile, game-based way to introduce students to the library.
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Contributing departments: User Experience
University History Walking Tour Videos
The walking tour showcases iconic buildings and places on the NC State University campus. The videos feature archival materials including images, film, maps, and architectural drawings.
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Contributing departments: Special Collections Research Center, Libraries Communications, Learning Spaces & ServicesA Personal Librarian Program for Transfer Students
A program for transfer students where each new transfer student is assigned a personal librarian.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & ServicesCollections Review Tool
A tool to engage the campus community in decisions about cuts to the journal and database collection.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research Engagement
Digital Life Decoded Pop-Ups
“Digital Life Decoded,” is a series of user-research informed programs designed to empower the NCSU community to make informed decisions about their online identities and digital security.
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Contributing departments: , Open Knowledge Center
My #HuntLibrary
My #HuntLibrary is a participatory digital service designed to encourage visitors to document their Hunt Library experience using the social media platform Instagram.
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI)