Paint Chips to Laptops: Creating a Learning & Teaching Center in a University Library

Erin Daniels, Instruction Librarian

Sonoma State University

erin.daniels@sonoma.edu

THIS SESSION:

• CONTEXT + BACKGROUND

• GOT IT RIGHT

• MISSED THE MARK

• FUTURE PLANS

• QUESTIONS?

MISSION:

The LTC provides information literacy and technology instruction to students, staff, and faculty in an innovative, creative learning environment.

CONTEXT + BACKGROUND

GOALS:

• Consolidate pre-existing, like-minded technology and/or information literacy services

• Design excellent information literacy classrooms

• Encourage new ways of creating and expressing information projects

• Mix students and faculty

CONTEXT + BACKGROUND

DETAILS:

• Remodeling project

• 2 years of planning

• 1st year of a 3 year build out plan

• Collaborative in spirit, but funded by Library

CONTEXT + BACKGROUND

GOT IT RIGHT:

• LAPTOPS

• MOBILE

• THE “FEEL” OF THE SPACE

GOT IT RIGHT: LAPTOPS

• 45 MacBooks

• 3 laptop carts

• 2 months of testing

• More staff intensive than desktops

• Very few problems

• Changes how you teach

• Changes how students interact

GOT IT RIGHT: LAPTOPS

Spectrum Industries L15 Laptop Cart

13” MacBooks + Baker M Collection tables

GOT IT RIGHT: MOBILE

• Mobile tables

• Mobile chairs

• Mobile whiteboards

• Mobile projectors

• Mobile laptop carts

• Arrange furniture to match class goals

• Allows for class size 5-45

GOT IT RIGHT: MOBILE

Peter Pepper Cart + Epson Projector

Herman Miller Caper Chairs + Whiteboard

GOT IT RIGHT: MOBILE

Baker M Collection Tables + Herman Miller Caper Chairs

Alternative arrangement

GOT IT RIGHT: THE FEEL

• Bright, airy colors

• Comfortable furniture

• Cost effective pictures

• Cost effective wall lettering

• Stainless steel accents

GOT IT RIGHT: THE FEEL

Bright, interesting images on walls

Maintaining natural light sources

GOT IT RIGHT: THE FEEL

Cost effective imagery through rub-on letters

GOT IT RIGHT: THE FEEL

Bright, interesting images continued

Soft, movable furniture = National Reno Line

MISSED THE MARK:

• TOO MANY COOKS

• MESSY THINGS

• STAFFING

MISSED THE MARK: TOO MANY COOKS

• Planning group = too many for too long

• Who was making final decisions?

• External partners appreciate one person to work with, not 10

• Coordinator established too late

MISSED THE MARK: MESSY THINGS

• Wireless doesn’t mean wire free

• Where are the power sources?

• Laptop carts = cords, cords, cords

• Overloading walls

MISSED THE MARK: MESSY THINGS

Tamed laptop cart cords Overloaded wall + big screen TV

MISSED THE MARK: STAFFING

• Filling a space vs. creating a space

• Meeting student/faculty expectations around high-end technology use

• Collaborative funding sources didn’t materialize to help with staffing

• Scheduling rooms and laptops very time consuming

SUMMARY:

• GOT IT RIGHT = information literacy classrooms w/ mobile furniture and laptops

• MISSED THE MARK = staffing a high end technology space within current staffing level and budget environment

FUTURE PLANS:

• Take down the glass wall - integrate with rest of library

• Redirect away from being a “high-end” technology support center

• Continue success with mobile information literacy classrooms

Instruction/group work pods

FUTURE PLANS

FUTURE PLANS

Herman Miller Intersect - Telescoping screen

Bretford - K-base Cart

QUESTIONS?