is there anything common about the learning commons?: the evolution from library to learning...
TRANSCRIPT
Is There Anything Common about the
Learning Commons?The Evolution from Library
to Learning Commons
Jayne Germer, Doane [email protected]
Valerie Knight, Wayne State [email protected]
Ron Wirtz, University of [email protected]
A little background information
Information Commons: provides technology and services for students to access information
Learning Commons: provides technology and supporting services for students to encourage collaborative knowledge creation
Bennett, S. (2003). Libraries designed for learning. Council on Library and Information Resources.
http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub122/pub122web.pdf
Shining stars
NCSU Libraries Learning Commons
Penn Libraries Weigle Information Commons
Utah Knowledge Commons
UIC IDEA Commons
Learning Space Toolkit, 2014.http://learningspacetoolkit.org
Penn
NCSU
UIC
Some resources
Beagle, D. R. (2006). The information commons handbook. Neal-Schuman.
Bennett, S. (2003). Libraries designed for learning. Council on Library and Information Resources. http://www.clir.org/pubs/ reports/pub122/pub122web.pdf
Learning space toolkit. (2014). North Carolina State University. http://learningspacetoolkit.org/
Doane College Learning Commons
Jayne GermerCollection Development Librarian
Main campus in Crete NE
Approx. 1100 students at Crete; College total FTE=2230
Perkins Library is the only library for all 4 campuses
Why are we doing it? Trustees’ Ad hoc Committee
on Technology & Learning recommendation
Students want 24/7 access to computers & study space
Building identified as most in need of attention on campus
Frankly, funds became available!
Who’s involved?
Library
IT Helpdesk
Writing Center
Art Gallery
OpportunitiesLibrarians can support
Writing Center staff with student research questions
Students will have on-the-spot help with IT
More group study areas
Updated technologies available to students
Art gallery will be showcased in hall across from auditorium
What’s happening?
• Entrance moves upstairs• All service points & offices upstairs• Almost every physical item housed downstairs• 24/7 computer lab incorporated
Timeline 2010-2011: ad hoc committee study
2012-2013: weeding!
Spring 2013: funds became available
Summer 2013: architectural plans drawn
Jan. 2014: offices demolished; archives workroom constructed; compact shelving installed
Feb.-Mar. 2014: periodicals, reference & computers moved
Mar.-Apr. 2014: shelving & general collection moved to ground floor
May 19: construction begins
Aug. 25: Learning Commons opens!
Outcomes
Students will have IT support where they work
Writing Center will be more centrally located
Art Gallery will have increased visibility
Information literacy classroom will help library in its mission
Lessons learned
•No such thing as “over-informed” faculty
•Know who needs to be in the loop
•Students are accommodating with mid-semester changes
•Student workers can be trusted to move books
•Fire marshal has final approval
•Design needs to match tasks
Wayne State CollegeLearning Commons
Valerie KnightReference Librarian
About WSC’s Conn Library• WSC FTE = 2,951
• 1956 –Constructed original 40, 880 sq ft building
• 1970 – Built a 27,988 sq ft addition
• Interior Improvements:• 2006 - Jitters
Coffee Shop• 2011 - Nordstrand
Art Gallery
Original
Addition
Current Integrated Services
Writing Help Desk (WHD) – First Level
Tutoring Services (limited subjects) – First Level
Teaching Resource Center (TRC) & Multimedia Lab – Lower Level (now displaced)
Instructional Resource Center (IRC) – Second Level
Library Program Statement• Developed in 2011-12
• Involved library staff, Network & Technology Services, Holland Academic Success Center, Art Gallery personnel, VP for Administration & Finance, architect, library consultant
• Determined the Purpose/ Objectives of a Library Remodel:
1. Infrastructure Renovation
2. Impact on Student Learning
3. Iconic Function
This is a resolve that the library will function not only as a key academic resource but also as a fully engaged partner of the classroom faculty in fostering learning excellence and
student success (Conn Library Program Statement, p. 7).
Paradigm Shift:We [now] choose to treat students as self-directed learners rather than as consumers; view the library
building as one of the chief places on campus where students take responsibility for and control
over their own learning; and employ library staff to enact the learning mission of the college through being active educators. Planning for the US Conn
Library aims at this … choice and a design practice strongly centered on learning (Conn Library
Program Statement, p. 10).
Library Design Phase
Occurred from 2012-2013 Finalized December 2013 Major Redesigns -
A Complete Overhaul!!◦ New Entrance Addition◦ New North Entrance near Studio
Arts & Peterson Fine Arts◦ Art Gallery Enlarged & Moved◦ Jitters Moved, Enclosed &
Enlarged – Red Mango Yogurt!
◦ Basement Opened Up and Compact Shelving Installed
◦ More Study Rooms! Both Individual & Group
◦ Addition of Classroom in IRC◦ Addition of Archives◦ Learning Factory on 2nd floor◦ Holland Academic Success
Center moves to library◦ Academic Commons
Learning Factory Previously
Hidden in Basement
Will Move to Second Level
Featuring:◦ Two Pedagogy
Labs◦ Multimedia
Lab◦ Video Studio/
Presentation Room
◦ Nearby Staff Offices
OLD TRCFUTURE
Academic Commons Previously – Some
services… spread out New plan places
support services to the side of student-owned spaces
Featuring:◦ Writing Help Desk
◦ Tutoring Access
◦ Interchangeable Service Desk (Reference, IT, etc)
◦ Flexible, movable furniture intermixed with technology
CURRENT
FUTURE
Construction Progress Pre-Phase (Mar-May 2014) – Network Distribution Rooms built in Basement & Attic Phase I (May 2014 – Apr 2015) – Original Basement Renovation, Jitters Relocation,
New Main Entrance Addition, New North Entrance Phases II & III (2015-16) – Original Building Remodel of 1st and 2nd floors including
the development of the Learning Factory and the relocation of the art gallery Phase IV (2016-17) – Addition Building Remodel (all floors) including Academic
Commons and addition of Holland Academic Success Center
Challenges & Opportunities Furniture… Modern vs Classic – How Long will it Last? Changing Technology Needs… Printing? Keeping it Open & Usable… Phased Construction – Noise vs Access Changes… Keep Flexible, Expect the Domino Effect & Prepare Ahead Testing it Out… Start Collaboration Early Unexpected Impacts… Removing the Silos in Website Design, News…
The UNK Library & Learning Commons
Ron Wirtz, Ph.D.Coordinator of User Services
Assistant Director for the Library, UNK Learning Commons
Strategic Focus & Foundation
The UNK LearningCommons combines a Place
The UNK LearningCommons combines a Place with People
The UNK LearningCommons combines a Place with Peopleand Programs
Subject TutoringUNK Subject Tutoring offers student-to-student assistance for most General Studies (100 and 200 level) courses on a walk-in basis. Subjects tutored include: Accounting, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Finance, French, German, Management, Math, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, and Statistics. Like most other college tutoring programs, our greatest demand falls in mathematics and the natural sciences. All tutors prepare for their work through College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certified training. Tutor selection requires faculty recommendations and a formal interview.
SupplementalInstruction is aninternational program thatprovides peer-facilitatedacademic support outsidethe regular classroom.SI Leaders plan and leadthree hours of SI sessionseach week in partnershipwith the course instructor
Learning Commons Language Tables help many UNK students, faculty and staff to enhance their language skills in a casual academic environment through games, activities and conversation.
The UNK LearningCommons combines a Place with Peopleand Programs for a unified Purpose.
The UNK Learning Commons was initially the product of a “serendipitous conversation” between the Dean of the Library and the Dean of Student Affairs, tocreate a “one stop shop”for all student academic support services.
Since that time, planning has becomemuch more purposeful, with a longer-range proposal in the University master plan to bring more studentservices (counseling, advising, evenstudent health) into the shaded areaon the main floor of the Library. Aformal Advisory Board has been constituted, and strategic planningsessions, including a SWOT analysis,is currently under way.