Jacqueline Kracker|Howard R. Pollio
The experience of libraries across time: Thematic analysis of undergraduate recollections of library experiences
Austin Peay State University|University of Tennessee at Knoxville|Austin Peay State University|University of Tennessee at Knoxville
abstract understand human experience libraries implications understanding library use service education design 118 undergraduate students asked list three personally memorable incidents concerning library use following asked write short narrative one experiences incidents reported participants ranged preschool college age content analysis indicated majority took place two grade levels sometimes early participants first preschool visit library phenomenological analysis individual narratives produced thematic structure four grade levels represented data elementary school younger middle school high school collegeadult themes common across four levels include atmosphere size abundance organizationrules effects library theme memories unique narratives took place elementary younger age levels although remaining themes noted across age levels relative importance various themes subthemes different different ages implications thematic structure library practice discussed