Keywords

1 Introduction

The role of the library in the working life of people is self-evident, where the majority of users can get a wealth of reading resources and comfortable learning conditions. The new type of libraries in the Internet era features big data, intellectualization, and humanity. People usually use computers, mobile phones, and handheld computers and other media information to query, read, and access the data; therefore, in the library’s man–machine–environment system, there are more virtual system man–machine interfaces and human–computer interactions. Although the traditional paper reading has not been replaced electronically, the electronic means has been extensively used as a convenient tool for readers to obtain information and enhance the human-oriented effectiveness of the library from multiple media.

At present, the applications of ergonomics theory and technology become extensive day by day in various industries. However, there are few studies on the application of ergonomics in the library [1,2,3,4,5,6,7], the development of overseas libraries is faster with the complete facilities [8], and the relevant studies is still visible [9,10,11], but not as a hot topic. Moreover, these studies are made only starting from the reading [3], attendance, circulation, and other basic man–machine system functions, such as the local studies on reading room design [3], bookshelf construction [4], furniture [5, 6], lighting environment optimization [2], learning space management [7], security [11], and others without a unified analysis from the view of human–machine–environment system and special attention and focus on the libraries in universities.

In order to investigate the humanistic development of the university libraries in the Internet era, this paper analyzes the man–machine–environment system of the library from the angle of ergonomics, discusses the main connotations and contents of man–machine interaction, and analyzes the corresponding man nature function and features of the time so as to promote the construction of new man–machine interactive interface and the enhancement of the humanized self-service function in the library.

2 Man–Machine–Environment System of Library

The man–machine–environment system of library is composed of people and machine in the library’s environment. Its composition is shown in Fig. 1, including the various types of people involved in the use of the system, machinery, and equipment and a variety of environments.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Man–machine–environment system of university library

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The “man” in the system mainly includes all kinds of users (teachers, student, and researchers), librarians, and related service personnel, as well as temporary visitors. Among them, teachers and students are the main objects of the university library and librarians are the main staff. All of them coexist in the system.

“Machine” first includes various and massive books and information, in paper, electronic, multi-source media and other forms. There are also shelves and computer interfaces for carrying information, tables and chairs for use, equipment systems, and service facilities such as automatic borrowing equipment, information inquiry systems, document scanning and printing systems, and elevators in drinking systems, water dispenser, vending machines, etc. available for users.

“Environment” includes the internal and external environment of the library, which is divided into light environment, thermal environment, sound environment, air environment, network environment, and other environments, similar with the environments of general classroom, office, and other public places. The impact of the environment on the man–machine system is significant. For the library, as a place to read, the light, color, sound environments and temperature requirements are very high and the designer has to consider a lot of related factors [2]. Comfortable environment can improve learning and work efficiency; on the contrary, the uncomfortable environment may reduce the efficiency, increase the error rate, and affect the health. Real-time network use is the requirement of humanization. In the Internet conditions, the use of the library shows higher timeliness, which is also a main characteristic of information access of library in this time of Internet.

Above man–machine–environment factors are intertwined with each other, constituting a complex man–machine–environment system of library. Three factors are interacted with each other; the machine and environment should meet various physiological and psychological needs of people to allow people to easily access a variety of resources, and then read and learn pleasantly.

3 Man–Machine Interface of Library

Man–machine interface refers to the area of communication and interaction between people and machine. In the library system, there are a variety of different types of man–machine interfaces. See Table 1.

Table 1 Classification of typical man–machine interface
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The commonly seen human–machine interfaces in the library mainly include people–desk/chair interface, people–bookshelf interface, and human–computer interface.

Man-desk/chair interface in the library is similar to the relevant interface in the office or classroom, which ensures that people have stable and healthy sitting postures, comfortable visual conditions, and allow the body to have a rest and become relaxed. No doubt such traditional interface is still the longest and the most important interface between man and machine and the basic interface for all activities in this time of Internet.

Man–machine interface of the computer system means that user borrows books, enquires about information, and makes relevant searches via relevant network or linkage of the library in a computer. On the one hand, the network design should meet various humanized demand and be easy to learn and use to improve the efficiency of search and query; on the other hand, relevant hardware conditions, including the screen, mouse, and keyboard, etc., should be able to make readers comfortable and convenient during the operation.

Man–machine interface for the information display includes various information displays in the library, such as the new book notice, the event notice, the information prompts, and various videos, which are usually arranged in the passages, corridors, publicity boards, and other eye-catching places to allow users to see and acquire information and feel pleasure.

Man–machine interface of service facility refers to that, when using the library, by means of self-service service system, readers can borrow and return books or use scanner or copying machines for relevant operations, which are important service functions of the library. A good interface can make readers easily and efficiently and help study and learning. The ubiquitous Internet makes it easier for reader to access and store information.

Special man–machine interfaces refer to the special man–machine interfaces provided for the old, weak, or disabled readers or the reader using different language, such as the interface for the convenience of the visually impaired or the blind reader, the interface for network inquiry, and the interface for the accessible navigation instructions, sound prompt, etc.

Figure 2 shows the typical man–machine interface of the library based on the man body model. Taking the new library of Tsinghua University as an example, the two types of man–machine interface—reading and computer interaction—are selected, including the sitting and standing postures of human body template so that researcher can further analyze the comfort of corresponding function of human body. In addition, taking book from the shelf, borrowing book by self-service machine, copying book by self-service machine, using cell phone in free time, and some other scenarios are typical man–machine interface and man–machine interaction scenarios. In the conditions of Internet, the virtual displays of the man–machine interface and human–computer interaction scenarios are distributed all over the library as major feature of modern society. In addition to the traditional keyboard and mouse operations, direct touch screens are gradually increased, allowing the use in a more intuitive, convenient, and nature way.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Typical man–machine interface of library

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4 Humanized Function of Library

Based on the above various typical man–machine interfaces, the library provides rich humanized functions for the readers. By means of the quick and convenient wireless network conditions, the reader can enjoy a variety of user-friendly features via Internet.

  1. (1)

    Query and browsing function

Readers come to the library for finding the books and information needed, so the query is the primary function. Through the network-based and user-friendly menu function, readers can quickly find the required materials and then read them to get relevant information and knowledge. By the query, comparison, and screening, the reader will ultimately find appropriate bibliography. Therefore, the query and reading are the library’s most basic humanized function.

  1. (2)

    Borrowing and return function

In addition to sitting and reading in the library, borrowing and returning books are also the most basic functions of the library. At present, the library provides users with self-help and manual modes to borrow books. Outside the working hours, readers may return books via the return box. Through network personal borrowing system or mobile phone APP, WeChat and other functions, the reader can also keep an eye on the information like new books and popular books.

The new virtual reality experience area provides readers with virtual touch screen man–machine interfaces. On the interfaces, a variety of bibliographic cover pictures rolls on the big screen and the readers can select with a finger and then use the phone’s WeChat to scan the associated picture so that he can use the borrowing function, which is more intuitive and convenient.

  1. (3)

    Information acquisition function

In addition to borrowing and reading books, the library also provides readers with a variety of information access functions, including retrieval and access functions for a variety of network databases, databases, reference books, and ancient books, and audio and other multi-source information so that the reader has access or use these functions with the help of a librarian.

  1. (4)

    Self-service function

Generally, reader needs to extract and record the materials found, so scanning, printing, copying, reproducing, and some other functions are practical and usual demands. Library should provide relevant equipment and system anywhere to allow readers to enjoy self-service from time to time. Taking the advantage of Internet, each equipment and system should have user-friendly man–machine interface and quick operations to meet users’ demands in the saving and using data via Internet.

  1. (5)

    Discussion and communication function

A variety of types and sizes of study rooms is a emerging new function these years. Besides reading, readers also need to conduct brief communication and discussion with their classmates, teachers, or peers. Library should have similar closed places for such activities.

  1. (6)

    Leisure function

After reading, readers need a place to have a rest or do some simple activities. In the library, long sofas, rest corners, green plants, drinking water, and other humanized rest areas are also required. The external environment of the library should be skillfully combined with natural environment. Currently to cope with the thick smog outside, any library should have a high-performance fresh air system to provide readers with healthier atmospheric quality.

  1. (7)

    Vulnerable group service function

To facilitate the use of the library by the elderly and the disabled, the library should provide the corresponding humanized function, such as navigation and reading and query functions and relevant assistances for amblyopia and blind readers to allow more readers to benefit.

Furthermore, it also includes personnel access management, escape routes, security, and other humanized features.

Above humanized functions are the characteristics of new university library. Inclusion of above aspects will make the new library’s MMES very humanized. As shown in Fig. 3, based on the query and borrowing management of library materials of cloud big data, with a cell phone or a computer only, readers can conduct relevant information processing, connect massive big data in the world, and realize the interconnection and sharing in an internationalized way, that is, the peak of man–machine engineering technology of library in this era of Internet.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Library use based on cloud database and mobile phone

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5 Discussion

Nowadays, the new MMES of university library can meet the needs of teachers and students, providing comfortable, convenient, pleasant reading, learning, and working environment and a variety of self-service functions and reach a high performance as a whole. Among all functions, networking, electronization, and humanization are main features of such system.

In current network environment, the university library should pay attention to the improvement of the man–machine interaction and the promotion of the humanized self-service function. For instance, the man–machine interaction function of various interfaces of networks and equipment system shall be further improved in a humanized way; the self-service function shall also make all groups convenient, reduce difficulty of the use, enhance efficiency, and minimize the error.

In the future, designers shall make further improvement in the service for special groups and subject directions. For instance, the special devices and places may be increased for special attentions and assistance for vulnerable groups; assistance in different languages shall be provided for foreign users to facilitate the internationalized communication and use; the system shall also follow the frontier of some typical subjects, enrich contents, and introduce advanced book resources to provide researchers with more practical and targeted quality service.

In addition, to cope with harsh weather conditions, such as thick smog, heavy rain, and other extreme weathers, there should be some measures to ensure the functions involving the fresh air, good lighting, and noise reduction and other aspects to create a comfortable environment for learning.

Today, there are few studies on the MMES of library. The library as a special building environment needs to be studied from the angle of ergonomics. This paper makes primary discussions from the view of man–machine interface only. In the future, we should make further study on the details of library’s MMES, such as comfortable environment design evaluation for optimization of computer interfaces, R&D of more advanced humanized interfaces, improvement of health of readers, and enhancement of effective utilization of the library.

6 Conclusion

Based on the idea and method of ergonomics, this paper analyzes the constituent factors of MMES of university library and its interrelations, investigates in the typical man–machine interface and humanized function of library under the current network conditions and discusses the optimization method of MMES. The results show that under the Internet environment, the MMES of the university library contains more man–machine interfaces and man–machine interaction factors of virtual systems. The Internet-based application is the characteristic of the current university library, and the university library under the network environment should pay attention to the construction of man–machine interaction interface and the enhancement of intelligent and humanized self-service functions. In addition, the system should be improved when considering special groups, vulnerable groups, adverse weather, and subject-oriented service. To sum up, the contents and details of the library’s MMES need to be further discussed and developed.