Publication Type

Conference Paper

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

10-2026

Abstract

As student wellness emerges as one of the most pressing concerns facing academic institutions today, libraries are uniquely and powerfully positioned to reimagine their spaces and services as holistic, human-centered environments that nurture the whole person. This paper presents three initiatives by the Singapore Management University (SMU) Libraries that embody this vision, collectively affirming the library's evolving role as a human-centered wellness hub and its commitment to actively shaping a more inclusive and people-first future.

The first initiative repurposed a vacated collection space into a wellbeing-centered quiet study environment, incorporating user experience (UX) design principles and longitudinal survey evidence, to provide students with a calm, conducive, and thoughtfully refurbished space for focused learning. The second initiative expanded the entire library building into a quiet area during examination periods, leveraging behavioural nudges guided by the EAST Framework to foster a shared sense of responsibility and mutual respect. The third initiative, the Library Calm Space, represents community co-creation - a holistic wellness sanctuary designed with students for students - engaged over 200 participants during a roadshow and drew a pulse survey response in which approximately 80% of students welcomed the Space and expressed a likelihood of using it. Together, this evidence confirms that user-centered, evidence-based design offers a practical and replicable pathway for positioning the library as a central partner in the holistic student experience.

As education continues to evolve, library spaces must also adapt to meet changing user needs. By leveraging data and adopting a user-centered approach, SMU Libraries aim to ensure that library spaces not only support academic growth, but also serve as a sanctuary for wellness and mindfulness.

Keywords

human-centered design, academic library spaces, student wellbeing, co-creation, partnerships

Discipline

Higher Education | Library and Information Science

Publication

10th Rizal Library International Conference (10RLIC), Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines, 2026 October 7-9

First Page

1

Last Page

9

Embargo Period

10-12-2026

Additional URL

https://sites.google.com/ateneo.edu/10rlic?pli=1&authuser=0

Download

Download Data/Files

Share

COinS