Information Learning Research
Evolution of the Library Commons
Charles Forrest, Director, Library Facilities
American Library Association Annual Conference
New Orleans, Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Commons
“A public place
that 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
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Group studies, classrooms, coffee shop and cafe
Collaboration, academic support
Writing center, tutoring services, counseling, placement
Enhanced student success
Teaching
Research
Conserving
and conveying
existing 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 where
people, technology and facility
come together to enable and celebrate
knowledge 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
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DiSC (Digital Scholarship Commons)
Computer-based research
Data management
Large-scale data visualization
Trans-disciplinary laboratories
Faculty and graduate student success
Emory University Libraries
Emory University Libraries
Emory University Libraries
Emory University Libraries
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
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Establish boundaries
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Add rooms
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Park Land set up for presentation
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Park Land set up for collaboration
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
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
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Entrance
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Research Commons interior
Leo A Daly Architects, Research Commons Conceptual Design Study
Research Commons Schedule
2009
•
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
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Fall, architectural design
– November, kick off conceptual design
– December, complete conceptual design, conceptual budget
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December, DiSC Mellon planning grant final report
2011
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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 Research
Evolution of the Library Commons
Charles Forrest, Director, Library Facilities
American Library Association Annual Conference
New Orleans, Saturday, June 25, 2011