The Learning Commons NCSU Libraries ASERL Panel on User Studies Joe Williams, Director of the Learning Commons It’s All About U: The ASERL-Auburn Forum on Library User Studies
Background East Wing Renovation Higher Education Bond Opened March 12, 2007 Commons ~15,000 square feet
Services & Activities Supported
Research & Information Librarians Grad Assts Paraprof. Staff 24/5 coverage IM phone
Productivity Computing 105 additional workstations 70/30 PC/Mac Productivity applications Familiar lab desktop
Multimedia
Gaming
Group study
Print Reference
Tech Lending
Digital Signage
Group Study Rooms
Interactive white board LCD Projector Podium Dry Erase Board Smart Glass Presentation Practice
Evaluation Questions Who is using the Learning Commons? How are patrons using the Learning Commons? How satisfied are patrons with the Learning Commons? What is needed next in the Learning Commons?
Procedures Observations comments Workstation data Webpage statistics Surveys Student advisors Desk transactions Tech lending data Reservations data Forum comments Gate & head counts
Procedures Observations comments Workstation data Webpage statistics Surveys Student advisors Desk transactions Tech lending data Reservations data Forum comments Gate & head counts
Student Advisors Monthly meeting Pizza Guests Short agenda U.L.C.
Tech Lending Web page Research Help Events Noise Video games
Avg. Week at the Desk ‘07- ‘08
Desk Transactions ‘07- ‘08
Technology Lending Laptops iPods Game controllers GPS Camcorders Cameras Headphones Calculators USB keys Voice recorders
Technology Lending Data
Related Surveys Exit surveys –Laptop lending –GPS lending –Gaming parties Other collaborative studies –Learning Commons assessment (Stephen Sherman, UNC SILS, 2008) –Learning Commons gaming program (Brian Clossey, UNC SILS, 2008)
Discussion Forum 287 Users –276 NCSU student/faculty/staff –11 Libraries staff 111 Topics Started –62 by students/faculty/staff –49 by Libraries staff 239 Posts –158 by students/faculty/staff –81 by Libraries staff M arch 12, June 25, 2008
Most-viewed Topics TopicAuthorViewsDate “Why are there video games in the library commons?”Student30,90306-Dec-07 “really annoyed”Student24,22106-Dec-07 “noise level in new wing”Student3,86403-May-07 “Is it wrong to expect the library to be QUIET???”Student3,76702-Jun-07 “pro and cons of the draft”Student3,54111-Apr-07 “Finals and Dead Week help”Staff2,83023-Apr-07 “Computers rebooting in Commons?”Staff2,72825-Apr-07 March 12, June 25, 2008
Workstation Data
Average workstation utilization in Learning Commons ‘07-’08
Observations
[Thursday]
Thank You Joe Williams, Director of the Learning Commons