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Behavior mapping and short audits: low-cost ways libraries can find barriers
Summary
JJ Pianchi demonstrated behavior mapping (one-hour observations) and recommended quick audits (Project Enable checklist) and user testing to identify underused or inaccessible spaces that need redesign or signage.
JJ Pianchi recommended behavior mapping — short, focused observations of where patrons go and which spaces they avoid — as a practical, low-cost diagnostic tool. "A behavior map is just 1 hour of observation," he said, explaining that observers record flows and note areas that no one uses to identify possible barriers such as furniture layout, lighting, or signage.
He proposed combining behavior mapping with simple checklists (he recommended Project Enable’s ADA checklist for straightforward measurements and IFLA’s guidance for more comprehensive scenarios) to produce a prioritized list of fixes and a grant/donor "wish list". Pianchi emphasized that these methods can reveal counterintuitive patterns, like unexpected traffic flows or underused study areas, and lead to targeted, low-cost interventions rather than wholesale renovations.
The presenter also encouraged perspective-taking exercises (e.g., imagining the space from a 4-foot or 7-foot vantage point) and incorporating user testing for diverse sensory and mobility profiles to ensure changes work for multiple groups.
