Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian University

Demographics  Masters I - Comprehensive University  4,786 Students  4,236 Undergrad Students  Founded in 1906  Library Building constructed in 1970  Additions in 1984 and 1997  Walter H. Adams Center for Teaching Excellence created during 1997 addition.  Masters I - Comprehensive University  4,786 Students  4,236 Undergrad Students  Founded in 1906  Library Building constructed in 1970  Additions in 1984 and 1997  Walter H. Adams Center for Teaching Excellence created during 1997 addition.

Convergence of Needs  Library Computer Lab Was Crowded  Open Computer Lab Closed  Disparate Student Service Locations  Few Social Learning Spaces  Shifting Student Study Habits  Dropping Library Gate Count  Student Apathy Toward Academic Research  Library Computer Lab Was Crowded  Open Computer Lab Closed  Disparate Student Service Locations  Few Social Learning Spaces  Shifting Student Study Habits  Dropping Library Gate Count  Student Apathy Toward Academic Research

Opportunity for Distinction  Nationwide Success of Information Commons  Literature Supportive of Learning Commons Concept  Ideal Academic Environment  Nationwide Success of Information Commons  Literature Supportive of Learning Commons Concept  Ideal Academic Environment

Committed Partners  ACU Writing Center  Educational Technology  Information Services  Student Technology Support  Adams Center for Teaching Excellence  Administrative Services  Library  ACU Writing Center  Educational Technology  Information Services  Student Technology Support  Adams Center for Teaching Excellence  Administrative Services  Library

Upper Level Support  President  Provost  Dean of Library  Director of Adams Center  Chief Information Officer  VP for Operations  President  Provost  Dean of Library  Director of Adams Center  Chief Information Officer  VP for Operations

The Concept  Writing Center  Student Technology Helpdesk  Open Computer Lab  Print and Copy Center  Coffee Bar  Social Learning Spaces  Research and Information  Warm, Bright, Relaxed and Modern  Writing Center  Student Technology Helpdesk  Open Computer Lab  Print and Copy Center  Coffee Bar  Social Learning Spaces  Research and Information  Warm, Bright, Relaxed and Modern

Only One Problem…

Campus Buy-In  Student  Faculty  Learning Commons Partners  Technology Support  Writing Center  Administrative Services  Library  Student  Faculty  Learning Commons Partners  Technology Support  Writing Center  Administrative Services  Library

Present Model of Library Service  Primarily at the desktop (virtual or physical)  Encourages students to work in isolation  Primarily at the desktop (virtual or physical)  Encourages students to work in isolation

Where we are headed  Greater emphasis on group work  Merging together of expertise from the university  Facilitate intellectual and social dialogue  Greater emphasis on group work  Merging together of expertise from the university  Facilitate intellectual and social dialogue

Planning Resources  BYU Report of the Information Commons Team  Scott Bennett  Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. Washington, DC : Council on Library and Information Resources. tml  Libraries Designed for Learning. (Council on Library and Information Resources, Washington, DC, 2003) tml  BYU Report of the Information Commons Team  Scott Bennett  Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. Washington, DC : Council on Library and Information Resources. tml  Libraries Designed for Learning. (Council on Library and Information Resources, Washington, DC, 2003) tml

Visits to other institutions  Texas Christian University  Trinity University (San Antonio, Tx.)  Texas Wesleyan University  Colorado State University  Indiana University – Bloomington  Texas Christian University  Trinity University (San Antonio, Tx.)  Texas Wesleyan University  Colorado State University  Indiana University – Bloomington

Challenge of Developing the Learning Commons “To conceive of it as owned by learners, not by teachers, whether faculty or librarians” Bennett, S. (2003) Libraries Designed for Learning, p.45

Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian University Involving the Students

Student Involvement  Architecture  Interior Design  Market Research  Coffee Shop Name  Architecture  Interior Design  Market Research  Coffee Shop Name

Survey Results Spring 2005

Architecture/Interior Design

Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian University Involving the Faculty

Faculty as Teachers LC in supportive role

Top Faculty Needs 1.Computers and Technology  More workstations  Configured for groups, not individuals 1.Computers and Technology  More workstations  Configured for groups, not individuals

Our Response  Added 54 additional computers  Pod design to facilitate group use  Added 54 additional computers  Pod design to facilitate group use

2.Proactive Service Model  Roaming helpers  Workshops on technology and information skills 2.Proactive Service Model  Roaming helpers  Workshops on technology and information skills

Old Ref. Desk … New Ref. Desk …

3. Relaxed Intellectual Atmosphere

“What you see influences how you act.”  Artwork  Music  Poetry readings/performances  Quiet study/community spaces  Task lighting, pleasing color scheme  Artwork  Music  Poetry readings/performances  Quiet study/community spaces  Task lighting, pleasing color scheme

Faculty as Users LC inspires

Key Partner Adams Center for Teaching Excellence Dedicated to faculty development in the areas of teaching, learning, and technology Adams Center for Teaching Excellence Dedicated to faculty development in the areas of teaching, learning, and technology

Current Faculty Culture: Isolated Faculty use of the library: 2-3 times a semester Interlibrary loan Use journals Personal research Accompany students Faculty use of the library: 2-3 times a semester Interlibrary loan Use journals Personal research Accompany students

Old floor plan: separate space

New floor plan – Break down wall

Inspired Faculty Culture: Integrated  “Office hours” in LC

The Challenge  Merging of Organizational Cultures  Separate Reporting Structures  Multiple Budgets  Increased Workload  Merging of Organizational Cultures  Separate Reporting Structures  Multiple Budgets  Increased Workload

Contact Information  Laura Baker   Mark McCallon   George Saltsman   Laura Baker   Mark McCallon   George Saltsman 

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