Assessing user satisfaction determinants for ideal interior programming in public libraries of Dubai

Abstract

This study aims to provide essential data for the interior design program of new public libraries in Dubai by investigating user satisfaction with interior space characteristics. To achieve this objective, a survey was conducted among users of six public libraries in Dubai, and self-filling questionnaires of 42 questions were collected from 280 participants. The survey findings indicate that public libraries in Dubai are mainly used for educational purposes, with differences in space usage patterns among age groups. Those in their teens and twenties mainly used the General Reading Room, the Cultural Data Room by those in their thirties, and the Electronic Information Room by those in their forties and older. Users’ satisfaction with public library spaces differed based on gender and age groups. Men expressed higher satisfaction levels than women, and the Electronic Information Room received the highest satisfaction rating. The General Reading Room and Cultural Data Room had the least satisfactory interior design, while satisfaction with the Electronic Information Room was relatively high. The survey also revealed that users’ furniture arrangement preferences varied, with most students favoring the face-to-face seating arrangement. The study findings can serve as primary data for creating new public libraries in Dubai that cater to diverse user perspectives and requirements. However, further research is needed to obtain more in-depth insights, such as increasing the number of cases and conducting user interviews based on gender, profession, and age.