A Work in Progress: The Information Commons at A Small University Library TERRIERS AND BULLDOGS Always With Susan Bertreaux, Steve Watkins, Beth Avery IAMSLIC 2007, Sarasota, Florida Berrie Watson & Deborah Henry USF St. Petersburg

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Nelson Poynter Memorial Library

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Fire Exit Reference Desk Students only Circulation Desk Interlibrary Loan Reference Collection General Periodical Collection Marine Science Periodical Collection Microfilm Stairs Group Study Rooms Recreational Reading Entrance Exit Maps AFTER Fire Exit Elevator Span. & French Books ADA Room Printing & copying Public & Affiliate stations windows WebExpress Wireless MACS Magazines & newspapers

Fire Exit Reference Desk Information Commons Circulation Desk Interlibrary Loan Reference Collection General Periodical Collection Marine Science Periodical Collection Magazines & Newspapers Microfilm Stairs Group Study Rooms Recreational Reading Entrance Exit Maps FUTURE? Fire Exit Elevator Span. & French Books ADA Room Printing & copying Public & Affiliate stations windows Internet Bistro WebExpress Wireless

TIPS Think about how students use your space; identify areas that don’t work as is, or dead space that might serve some purpose. Try to anticipate the future with regards to the infrastructure; including wiring, power, lighting, and traffic volume. Try to keep the costs down in order to sell ideas in tough budget times and yet still be able to move ahead. Look for materials (equipment and furniture) being surplused by other units to keep costs down.

TIPS Keep staff involved in any redesign project; ask for opinions, have brainstorming sessions where as many as possible can participate. The staff needs to buy-in into the changes. Plus you may get some good ideas you didn’t think of. Successful change requires training. Use a blog to keep everyone up to date on what’s going on. Use a log to track suggestions and comments. Expect to struggle; expect opposition; keep planning, present positives with good research to back plans.