The study and survey instrument developed by the presenters examines the perceptions and preferences of users and library staff in the information commons (IC) environment. The presenters developed two survey instruments, one for library users and one for library staff, to measure responses of the same or similar questions asked of IC users and staff at five academic university libraries throughout the United States. Focusing on the University of Florida results gathered from user and staff responses, the presenters provide charts and grafts to delineate the divide or lack of understanding existing between library service providers and their customers across the five institutions that participated in the study. The presenters will involve the audience through discussion about actions that librarians can take to partner with the user in developing services that realistically address customer needs. Finally the presenters show how survey results are influencing innovation and implementation of user driven services within these libraries.
