Information Learning Research Evolution of the Library Commons

Information Learning ResearchEvolution of the Library Commons

Charles Forrest, Director, Library FacilitiesAmerican Library Association Annual Conference

New Orleans, Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Commons

“A public placethat supports conversation and sharing,

free to be used by everyone,and which everyone has a right to use,

a place that is generally accessible, affable,and familiar.”

Forrest & Halbert, A Field Guide to the Information Commons

Information Commons– Integrated desktop environment– Enhanced infrastructure– Collaborative service

• Library• Information Technology

– Enhanced student productivity

Learning Commons– Group studies, classrooms, coffee shop and cafe– Collaboration, academic support– Writing center, tutoring services, counseling, placement– Enhanced student success

Teaching ResearchConserving

and conveyingexisting knowledge

Discovering,creating and sharing

new knowledge

“I didn’t know that!” “Nobody knew that!”

Curiosity, discovery, knowledge, sharing

Learning

The Academic Commons

• Every community member is a learner• Every experience is a learning experience• Every space is a learning space

The Academic Commons

A place wherepeople, technology and facility

come together to enable and celebrateknowledge discovery and sharing.

Emory University• Established 1836• Enrollment 13,000

– 7,000 Undergraduate– 6,000 Graduate and Professional

• Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Theology

• Hospital and Clinic• Staff 23,000

– 12,000 University faculty and staff– 11,000 Emory Healthcare

• Oxford College Library• Business, Chemistry,

Health and Life Sciences, Law, Math and Science, Music and Media, Theology

• 3.4M volumes• MARBL• University Library

– 1997 Information Commons– 2004 Learning Commons– 2011 Research Commons

Candler Library, Matheson Reading Room

Research Commons

• DiSC (Digital Scholarship Commons)• Computer-based research• Data management• Large-scale data visualization• Trans-disciplinary laboratories• Faculty and graduate student success

Emory University Libraries





Comfortable, flexible environment

University of Washington Research Commons; Georgia Tech University Library Learning Commons; Steelcase

Immersive visualization

Duke Immersive Virtual Environment (DIVE); RIT Insight Lab

Data-driven research and collaboration

Arizona State University Decision Theater

Zones of activity

Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study

Zones of activity


Establish boundaries


Add rooms


Park Land set up for presentation


Park Land set up for collaboration


Phase 1 construction summer 2011

Leo A Daly Architects, Architectural Design Study

Phase 1 construction summer 2011

Leo A Daly Architects, Construction Documents

Research Commons from the Library Mezzanine


Entrance


Research Commons interior


Research Commons Schedule2009• May, Digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC) Mellon planning grant award

2010• Summer, prepare site

– Open L2 Library Service Desk– Close L3 Circ/Reserves desk and staff area

• Fall, architectural design– November, kick off conceptual design– December, complete conceptual design, conceptual budget

• December, DiSC Mellon planning grant final report

2011• March, DiSC 2 year Mellon grant award• Spring, complete design and construction documents• April, project budget funding approved• Summer, Phase 1 renovation• Fall, open Phase 1

Tips and Takeaways• Planning– Engage strategic partners– Identify key stakeholders

• Design– Pursue strategic focus– Leverage programmatic support

• Implementation– Achieve flexibility through variety– Phase in “moving-target” technologies

Information Learning ResearchEvolution of the Library Commons

Charles Forrest, Director, Library FacilitiesAmerican Library Association Annual Conference

New Orleans, Saturday, June 25, 2011