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Although scientific and health research has been conducted on Peeps, most notably that appearing on the Peep Research website (see http://www.peepresearch.org), we have noted an absence of research focusing on the ability of Peeps themselves to actually do research. To address this lack, we invited a small group of Peeps to visit Staley Library at Millikin University during the week of March 17-21, 2003 so that we could more closely observe their research practices. This was determined to be an ideal week for the Peeps to visit the library, as Millikin University students were on spring break. The research that follows documents their visit to the library and provides some evaluative commentary on our assessment of Peeps and library usage.
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 The Peeps arrived at the library in a customary manner, as evidenced by the photographs to the left, in a Volkswagen Beetle. It should also be noted that, not unlike college students, they attempted to fit as many passengers into their vehicle as possible. |
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We quickly observed that Peeps, like college students, immediately began their research by sitting down at the computer terminals and looking for information on the Internet. Our observations of their individual screens indicated that they were most likely looking for information about themselves. This research characteristic was noted in an article that appeared in the March 21, 2003 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education that discussed the tendencies of students to use search engines before library databases. |
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| The first page we observed the Peeps looking at was the official website of marshmallow peeps. We speculate that this page was located via a search engine, as our attempts to replicate this search in several search engines resulted in this page appearing at the top of the hit list of websites. |
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| Further exploration on the part of the peeps shows them at this website featuring Peep Shows. It is not known what the search terms were in this particular search, nor what they expected to find. (This page contains art work featuring canines.) Note, however, how they are all attempting to move closer to the computer screen. | This particular search resulted in a page that surprised both the Peeps and their observers. The focus of the content of the page, Visual Delights: Magic Lanterns, Peep Shows and Phantasmagoria, is unknown. |
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Once again the similarity of Peeps and college students is observed in the excessive printing that is evident in the above photograph. Like students, the Peeps have failed to used the Print Preview command before printing pages from an obviously large website.
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The next behaviors that we observed in the Peeps were quite surprising to us. Following their initial searches on the Internet we observed the Peeps engaging in more advanced research behaviors including consulting the Library of Congress Subject Headings, using the Oxford English Dictionary, and consulting with a librarian. Further, after the consultation with a librarian they gathered as a group to discuss their research. This is similar to behaviors we have observed in some of the more motivated college students.
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| A pair of Peeps is observed using the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Note that the term "peep" is not included as a subject heading. |
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| Following their unsuccessful attempt to locate "peep" in the LCSH, this pair of Peeps does experience success in locating information about the etymology of the term in the Oxford English Dictionary. |
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Seeking research assistance:
In the photograph to the left a small group of Peeps is observed asking a Research Librarian for assistance in determining whether a periodical is scholarly in nature. |
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The web page the Peeps were instructed to consult is shown above.
This page provides assistance in determining the type of a given periodical. |
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Group Work:
As has been observed in college students, the Peeps also appear to favor working on collaborative, or group, projects. We observed them meeting as a group in an area of the library designated for such purposes. |
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Are Peeps aware of appropriate behavior in a library setting?
During the course of the day we observed them engaging in both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors .
Inappropriate Behaviors
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Food: The photograph above illustrates that Peeps are just as likely to eat snacks in the library as are college students. It should also be noted that the Peeps attempted to finish their candy as quickly as possible when they became aware of the presence of library staff in the area.
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| The photographs below illustrates the lack of understanding Peeps have for the purpose of a photocopy machine. In the photo on the left the peeps appear to be enjoying the warmth of the photo element on their bottom sides. This experience led to an unfortunate incident in which the top of the photocopier fell on the Peeps resulting in some injury, as can be noted in the photograph on the right. | ||
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Once again we observed behavior in Peeps similar to that exhibited by college students in the library. One of our Circulation Associates heard some questionable sounds coming from the fourth floor. Upon further examination she found two pairs of the Peeps engaged in inappropriate behavior, as evidenced in the photographs below. |
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The inappropriate behaviors exhibited by the Peeps, as illustrated above, resulted in a visit with University Librarian Karin Borei. In the photograph to the right the Peeps can be observed listening to a stern lecture on library behavior by the director.
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| The Peeps appeared to select the remaining crab apples on the trees immediately outside the library for their lunch. This decision was most likely based on the observation of the cedar waxwings upon their entry to the building. Note, however, the unfortunate incident in the photo on the right when one of the hungry Peeps fell to his death. |
Appropriate Behaviors
| Not all of the behavior evidenced by the Peeps was of an inappropriate nature. All in all we were very pleased with the personal hygiene the Peeps exhibited during the course of the day. |
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Given some of the above occurrences, we began to ask the question: Should Peeps be permitted to engage in library research? Given their small size and rather fluffy skeletal structure, we asked the Peeps to engage in specific library behaviors. The results of these are available below.
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| Microfilm usage: The Peeps first attempt to use microfilm was not successful, as shown on the left. Although a student assistant did load the microfilm for them, the Peeps experienced extreme difficulty controlling the forward/reverse knob while attempting to read the screen. |
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| Retrieving books from shelves: Our observations indicated that it was virtually impossible for Peeps to remove items from the upper shelves of the library stacks. One unfortunate incident is illustrated in the above photograph. |
| Laptop usage: As exhibited in the photograph to the right, it is clearly difficult for the Peeps to check out and use the laptops the library has available. Despite the best attempts on the part of the Peeps, it was necessary for an assistant to both bring the laptop to the table and prepare it for the Peep's use. |  |
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| Paper cutters: Even with the assistance of a group of her peers, one of the Peeps met an unfortunate demise while attempting to use the paper cutter. |
The conclusion of the Peeps' library visit was rather routine (when compared to the rest of their day) as they proceeded to check out books.
Their exit from the library was uneventful.
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The Peeps wait patiently in line for a peep assistant to check out the items they have selected. On the right one of the Peeps displays its Millikin ID as it reaches the check-out station.
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The Peeps begin their exit from the library in an orderly manner through the exit gate. |
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| The Peeps complete their exit from the library, and can be seen heading down the sidewalk toward their vehicle in the parking lot. |
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| Not all of the hazards the Peeps experienced in the library were of their own doing. It should be noted that one of the library staff was a particular menace to the Peeps throughout their visit. Two incidents involving this employee are noted in the above photographs. |
This page created April 2003.
URL: http://www.millikin.edu/staley/peeps/
©2003 Office of Fluffy Research, Staley Library, Millikin University.
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About this project:
This page was created for an exhibit in the "Faculty Peep Show" on display at the Perkinson Gallery, Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Millikin University
from April 11-25, 2003. The show was organized to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of marshmallow peeps. Criteria for the show included the
incorporation of peeps into a work related to your discipline. Thus the birth of Peep Research: A study of small fluffy creatures and library usage.
Thanks for visiting!
Read some of the e-mails we have received!
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Susan Avery is now at skavery@uiuc.edu
Jen Masciadrelli is at jmasciad@uillinois.edu
| Some history of
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Page published April 16, 2003 The counter service ended Feb. 15, 2007. At that time, there had been about 670,000 visits since April 16, 2003. |
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