Territoriality and the Use of Library Study Tables

This experiment examined the influence of three different spatial markers at three different types of college library tables. College students were told to assume they were using the library either to do research or to study for a test and were then presented slides each showing a different table with a different marker. The students were asked to rate their level of avoidance for sitting at each of the seats at the table or to sitting at the table itself. The types of tables were a four-person table, four study tables with low partitions at front and sides, and four carrels with high partitions at front and sides. The markers were an open book, a jacket, and a person. The presumed purpose for using the library did not affect the reactions to the tables or markers. However, the type of table and type of marker affected reactions to sitting at each of the different seats. All seats except the diagonal seat at marked tables with low or no partitions led to high avoidance. Only the marked seat was avoided at the carrels. The marker that was rated with the highest level of avoidance at the tables was the person marker. Implications for the design of efficient and comfortable study and workspace were discussed.