The Library+ Commons @PC

Retooling High-

for High-Tech Users in Academic

Libraries

Library+ Commons @PC:

-Touch Services

Tech Users in Academic

Libraries

Beatrice R. PulliamProvidence College

CCALD presentationUniv. of Bridgeport

6 February 2009bpulliam@providence.edu

who we are: institution

• private, liberal arts Catholic

institution founded in 1917

• primarily undergraduate• primarily undergraduate

• >5000 students

• 49 major areas of study

• 9 graduate programs

who we are: institution

private, liberal arts Catholic

institution founded in 1917

primarily undergraduateprimarily undergraduate

>5000 students

49 major areas of study

9 graduate programs

• 350,000 plus volumes (~ 6M through

consortium)

• 115 public desktop computers and laptops

who we are: library+ commons

• one of the first wireless hotspots on campus

• open avg. 106 hours per week

• staff: 24 FT (9 librarians), 8 PT, ~20 students

350,000 plus volumes (~ 6M through

115 public desktop computers and laptops

who we are: library+ commons

wireless hotspots on campus

open avg. 106 hours per week

staff: 24 FT (9 librarians), 8 PT, ~20 students

commons definitions

• information commons – creation of physical space(s) within library offering suite of technology resources and integrated services

• computer lab like (workstations, printing, scanning, etc.)

• one service point (information desk)

•

•

• learning commons – information commons ‘varied and adjustable collaborative workspaces’, and services that are traditionally provided outside the library

• writing and advising services

• faculty development

• campus community activities

(Source: Transforming Library Service Through Information CommonsTierney)

commons definitions

creation of physical space(s) within library offering suite of technology resources and

computer lab like (workstations, printing, scanning,

one service point (information desk)

information commons plus more ‘varied and adjustable collaborative workspaces’, and services that are traditionally provided outside the library

writing and advising services

campus community activities

Transforming Library Service Through Information Commons: D. Russell Bailey and Barbara

the library+ commons @ PC

• integrated, technology

• one-stop shopping

• academic and social

• collaborative learning spaces

• Digital Commons – PC’s digital repository

the library+ commons @ PC

integrated, technology-rich services

collaborative learning spaces

PC’s digital repository

renovations….it’s been a long

road

•multistage process that began in 2000

•Phase 1 – 1st floor (now •Phase 1 – 1st floor (now

Commons) (completed in 2004)

•Phase 2 – 2nd floor (now

Commons) began May 2008

•Future - Phase 3

renovations….it’s been a long

road

multistage process that began in 2000

1st floor (now Lower 1st floor (now Lower

) (completed in 2004)

floor (now Upper

began May 2008

the library+ commons @ PC

• lower commons

• Circulation Desk w/Self Checkout station

• Information Station

• Creation Station and Digital Services Lab• Creation Station and Digital Services Lab

• ~ 40 computer workstations, scanners

• Group study rooms

• Quiet study areas

• Presentation Rehearsal room

the library+ commons @ PC

Circulation Desk w/Self Checkout station

Information Station

Creation Station and Digital Services LabCreation Station and Digital Services Lab

~ 40 computer workstations, scanners

Group study rooms

Presentation Rehearsal room

the library+ commons @ PC

• upper commons

• InTeLeR Desk (Interactive, Teaching, Learning and Research)

• increased seating by 30%• increased seating by 30%

• ~30 individual study carrels forming a quiet zone around periphery of library

• 20 high-end computing workstations and faster printing

• ‘Living Rooms’

the library+ commons @ PC

InTeLeR Desk (Interactive, Teaching, Learning and Research)

increased seating by 30%increased seating by 30%

~30 individual study carrels forming a quiet zone around periphery of library

end computing workstations and faster printing

upper commons

• Modified compact shelving (to

accommodate growth of collection)

• Easier access to Office of Academic

Services (OAS), Writing and Tutoring Services (OAS), Writing and Tutoring

services

• Electronic Classroom and new OAS

seminar classroom

pper commons (cont.)

Modified compact shelving (to

accommodate growth of collection)

Easier access to Office of Academic

Services (OAS), Writing and Tutoring Services (OAS), Writing and Tutoring

Electronic Classroom and new OAS

seminar classroom

the library+ commons @ PC• lower level commons

• formally known as the

• undergoing a ‘psychological’ renovation

• smaller ‘living room’ and colorful artwork • smaller ‘living room’ and colorful artwork on walls

• new computers and access to microfilm readers and scanners

• Group study tables

• Gourmet coffee machine

the library+ commons @ PC

formally known as the ‘ugly’ floor

undergoing a ‘psychological’

smaller ‘living room’ and colorful artwork smaller ‘living room’ and colorful artwork

new computers and access to microfilm readers and scanners

Group study tables

Gourmet coffee machine

student reaction to renovation student reaction to renovation

retooling services

•internal communication

•consistency in rebranding

• PC commons

•equipment purchases and creative use of spacespace

• technology

• ‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection

•external communication

retooling services

internal communication

consistency in rebranding

equipment purchases and creative use of

‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection

external communication

retooling services

•internal communication

•consistency in rebranding

• PC commons

•equipment purchases and creative use of spacespace

• technology

• ‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection

•external communication and outreach

retooling services

internal communication

consistency in rebranding

equipment purchases and creative use of

‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection

external communication and outreach

retooling services

• use of social tools

• encore catalog

• libguides

• traditional instruction• traditional instruction

• tiered research assistance

• self-service (self checkout system)

etooling services

tiered research assistance

checkout system)

our library commons in picturesour library commons in pictures

InTeLeR* Desk – architect’s rendering

*Interactive, Teaching, Learning

designed by D. Russell Bailey, Library Director, Phillips Memorial Library

architect’s rendering

Learning and Research desk

designed by D. Russell Bailey, Library Director, Phillips Memorial Library

one stop (service) shopping

• LCA Is, SCAs at Circulation Desk

• RLs, LCLs, and SCAs at Ref and Research Desk

• LCA IIs at InTeLeR desk• LCA IIs at InTeLeR desk

(service) shopping

, SCAs at Circulation Desk

RLs, LCLs, and SCAs at Ref and Research Desk

deskdesk

times-are-a

• ‘information is social’

• library systems shifting from ‘documents to

conversations’conversations’

• user centric and user control

• ‘participatory librarianship’

(Source: R. David Lankes’ IFLA Satellite Conference, Boston,

2008: http://quartz.syr.edu/rdlankes/blog/?p=523

a-changin’

‘information is social’

ibrary systems shifting from ‘documents to

user centric and user control

‘participatory librarianship’

(Source: R. David Lankes’ IFLA Satellite Conference, Boston,

http://quartz.syr.edu/rdlankes/blog/?p=523 )

our library commons in pictures (cont..)our library commons in pictures (cont..)

our library commons in pictures (cont..)our library commons in pictures (cont..)

upper commons upper commons pics

upper commons upper commons pics

upper commons upper commons pics

self checkout

commons

self checkout in lower

commons

training in the

•staff – slower transition

• varied skill sets = steep learning

•students – faster transition•students – faster transition

• ‘digital natives’

training in the commons

slower transition

varied skill sets = steep learning curve

faster transitionfaster transition

tips for cross training and motivating staff

•staff as active partners in training (Google Docs)

•training should be ongoing

•make training fun - ‘sandbox’ time

•external communication•external communication

•teach staff to expect and embrace changebe “change ready”

•develop technical competencies

•Sara Houghton-Jan’s technology

and training report for Library (available from ALA Techsource)

tips for cross training and motivating staff

staff as active partners in training (Google Docs)

training should be ongoing

‘sandbox’ time

teach staff to expect and embrace change .

develop technical competencies

Jan’s technology competencies

for Library (available from ALA

more library commons photos

@PC

•• http://www.flickr.com/photos/pclibrarycom

mons/sets/72157605193341600/

more library commons photos

@PC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pclibrarycom

mons/sets/72157605193341600/

the library gets ‘mobbed’

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruEMaD

ZWRcs

•• ‘flash mob’ break during Fall 2008 final

exam week at UNC Chapel Hill

the library gets ‘mobbed’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruEMaD

‘flash mob’ break during Fall 2008 final

exam week at UNC Chapel Hill

metrics (what we gather)

• laptop checkouts

• access services transaction stats• access services transaction stats

• information station stats

• headcounts

metrics (what we gather)

transaction statstransaction stats

station stats

metrics (to do)

• look for relationships between individual

stats

• use analysis to improve service

• focus groups• focus groups

• share results with patrons (visualization)

• Aaron Schmidt’s ILS visualization of Circ

data: http://www.walkingpaper.org/1123

metrics (to do)

look for relationships between individual

use analysis to improve service

share results with patrons (visualization)

Aaron Schmidt’s ILS visualization of Circ

http://www.walkingpaper.org/1123

the take away

• our incremental transition has been successful but not without

challenges

• impact of the double monitors has revitalized our reference and research revitalized our reference and research desk

• positive feedback from students

• staff want more training!

• development of technical competencies in process

the take away

our incremental transition has been successful but not without

impact of the double monitors has revitalized our reference and research revitalized our reference and research

positive feedback from students

staff want more training!

development of technical competencies

go forth, begin the

and integrate your services...

go forth, begin the conversation

your services...

Beatrice R. Pulliam

Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access

Phillips Memorial Library

Providence College

come visit us...

Providence College

bpulliam@providence.edu

presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/bpulliam

Beatrice R. Pulliam

Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access

Phillips Memorial Library

Providence College

come visit us...

Providence College

bpulliam@providence.edu

http://www.slideshare.net/bpulliam