: We have developed simple taxonomy of visual display-based activity in office spaces using field data. Three key user values that displays provide are identified and investigated in depth: 1) ready access to information, 2) social orientation, and 3) co-ordination and planning. This analysis also provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that people use to make displays useful to them and their activities in-the-large. Implications for the design of digitally enhanced and networked display technologies are derived from the findings and discussed. Keywords User study, displays, ubiquitous computing, interaction design.