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Report on: "The Library Commons at UMass-Amherst and Beyond"
Worcester MA Report by: Bridget Rawding, Merrimack College |
| September 29, 2006 |
Anne Moore, Associate Director for User Services, UMass Amherst.
Anne Moore spoke about the development of the new Learning Commons at the W. E. B. DuBois Library at UMass Amherst. This new area recently celebrated its one year anniversary, and Ms. Moore recounted the "amazing transformation" since its opening. Monthly gate counts have increased 70% over counts for the same months in the previous year. The increase in usage has been tremendous, as tours now come all the way into the library, college groups schedule events there, and a number of college services (technology support, academic advising, writing center, career services, food, supplies, and reference/research assistance) are now all centrally located in this one place. This has resulted in a much higher demand on library resources and services, as well as noise issues that were not anticipated.
Ms. Moore then outlined the planning process for the development of the Learning Commons. It began as a grass roots effort from a number of players, including the Library, the Office of Information Technology, the Center for Teaching, the Learning Resource Center, and the Provost's Office. They met to discuss desired features and held focus groups with the community to gather input. Moore stressed that a key factor in their success at getting campus buy-in was the fact that they tied this initiative to the campus vision and goals. Also, they presented it as a modest project, to which they could add incrementally.
The project was not without challenges. There was initially some anxiety and resistance among library staff. It was essential to get people involved in the process, and once it opened, the concept "sold itself." Now, reference librarians are happy to be able to focus on "real" reference services, while technology assistance is handled by the technology support staff. Initial challenges regarding collaboration at service points gradually evolved into a "we're all in this together" mentality.
A number of policies and procedures help insure a safe, comfortable environment for all. Learning Commons staff rove the entire area every 15 minutes. There is also a regular schedule for cleaning work spaces, and staff have worked closely with Security and Building Maintenance to make sure the area is kept clean, functioning, and safe. Early concerns about noise have been somewhat resolved with the addition of a "Cell Phone Zone," a soundproof booth for cell phone use.
Ms. Moore noted that users don't necessarily expect everything from Day One. They love incremental additions, such as cell phone booths, office supply vending machines, and the food vending machines coming soon. Users appreciate responsive service and customer-focused staff. A website for the Learning Commons (www.umass.edu/learningcommons) includes a comments form with a guaranteed 12 hour response time.
Success has been measured by dramatic increase in use of building and services, positive comments, a noticeably diverse population, and an overall positive perception of the Learning Commons campus wide.
The question was asked about "lessons learned." Ms. Moore noted that in retrospect, they underestimated the increased demand on resources and services. They are reconsidering their holiday/intersession hours and their events policy as a result of this heavy demand. Also, building issues (such as electricity demands on an older building) need serious consideration.
They are moving ahead with plans to continue the renovation, add additional services (such as Bursar's Office), and attract donors with naming opportunities.
New Learning Spaces in Libraries
Kathy Boyd, Library Director, Salve Regina University
Kathy Boyd reported on her experience this past summer touring a number of different libraries with either new or renovated buildings, to research how academic institutions are now designing learning spaces.
She noted that there has been a paradigm shift in recent years from Library as Monastery to Library as Marketplace. Differences include:
Monastery
Marketplace
New libraries are not designed to showcase collections. Instead, characteristics include:
Ms. Boyd then briefly introduced six new library spaces (three renovations, and three new buildings)
Mt. Holyoke
Mt. Holyoke had a $300,000 budget to turn the Science Reference Room into an Information Commons area. This was one of the first Information Commons in this region. The Reference desk size was reduced by half to make it more approachable, a trend observed in several libraries. Their Information Commons also included a Quiet Computer Lab, although plans are in the works to eliminate some computer labs now, in order to expand the Commons area.
Bridgewater State College
Listed as "one of America's most wired campuses," Bridgewater State was an early adopter of a student laptop requirement. In 2004, they began a phased, $2.4 million renovation. New amenities include a function room off the main entrance, group study rooms with Smart Boards, collaborative work areas, and new lighting. An Information Technology help desk is located in the center of the café area.
Plymouth State University
Plymouth State University's library was built in 1964 and expanded in 1998. The College President wanted Academic Support Services integrated with the Library, so the expansion was able to accommodate this merger. A new position was created: Learning Commons and Help Desk Manager. This individual (not a librarian) reports to both the Library Director and the Director of Information Technology, and supervises both library and I.T. staff. An interesting aspect of the renovated building is that the Commons Café is also open to the public community.
Champlain College
A very technology-focused institution, Champlain counts graphic design, e-gaming, and digital forensics among its most popular majors. A new library was built in 1998 to integrate Information Technology and the Library. There is one service desk for all information services. This desk is never staffed by reference librarians; research and reference inquiries are directed to the Reference office for individual consultations. Books are not emphasized in this building - they are stored in the lower level. A full-time Instructional Design Specialist works in the building to assist faculty integrating technology into their pedagogy. A writing lab is another in-building service. Amenities include an outdoor patio with wireless access and spectacular views.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth completed a $45 million project to build a major addition and renovate the original Baker Library. The completed building is now called the Baker-Berry Library. Ms. Boyd noted this building is the "epitome of the marketplace model" of new learning spaces. The building features large, prominent signage, scrolling information tickers, a "News Center," a faculty center for the advancement of teaching, a 24 hour reading room, and a 24 hour café.
Middlebury College
When a long-term director retired, the college created a new position, "Dean of Library and Information Services," and the two departments were merged. To facilitate this, a $40 million new building was constructed. An interesting feature of this building is there are no permanent walls except on the periphery of the building, to ensure maximum flexibility. The grand atrium houses the Information and Circulation desks. All 80 library staff members cover regular shifts at the reference desk, which really serves as a referral or "triage" center. Features include: 24 hour study space, a café with wireless access, many individual study carrels, and an open reference area (reference offices have glass walls, and the director expects to eliminate the reference desk soon).
The program ended with a very informative and impressive tour of the UMass Amherst Learning Commons.
Report by:
Bridget Rawding
Head of Public Services
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA.
bridget.rawding@merrimack.edu
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