<![CDATA[The transformation of academic libraries into third places has contributed to a substantial increase in visits by external users, as observed at the Jusuf Kalla Library of Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). This study aims to map external visitors’ preferences across four categories of physical facilities: reading areas (V1), study and work areas (V2), technology facilities (V3), and supporting and general facilities (V4). Employing a descriptive quantitative survey design, the study defined its population based on the peak month of external visits in April 2026 (12,065 visitors). A sample of 388 respondents was determined using Slovin’s formula with a 5% margin of error and recruited through accidental sampling. Data were collected using a validated and reliable four-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics and interval analysis revealed that study and work areas (V2) received the highest preference score, with a mean of 3.43 per item (very high category; 69.1% of respondents). Reading areas (V1) and supporting/general facilities (V4) were both classified as high, with respective means of 2.85 (55.2%) and 2.65 (55.7%). In contrast, technology facilities (V3) received the lowest score, with a mean of 2.46 (low category; 50.3% of respondents). These findings suggest that adaptable physical spaces supporting individual and collaborative activities, including single and group working spaces, are a major attraction for external visitors, whereas technology facilities warrant further evaluation and improvements in management.]]>
