The Long and Winding Road to an Integrated Service Point

Christine Drew cdrew@wpi.edu Manager, Instruction & Outreach

Gordon Library

This Journey Begins

Timeline

2001 New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) WPI report states library improvements are needed

2003 Defined criteria & specifications for library service area

Faculty & student focus groups

Staff brainstorming, sketching, dreaming phase

2004 Staff define integrated service point criteria & specifications

From Users We Learned We Needed …

• Improved spaces for users: need for “noisy” study, open views to windows, multiple computer configurations

• Improved spaces for staff: in-office & service desk• Better signage: identify areas for users• Better visibility & lighting: identifiable service areas &

sightlines

The Vision: Integrated Service Point

Service Area Design Process

Timeline

2001 New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) WPI report states library improvements are needed

2003 Defined Criteria & Specifications for Service Area

Faculty & Student Focus Groups

Staff Brainstorming

2004 Define Integrated Service Point Criteria & Specifications

2005 Partnered with campus facilities and architect (R.L. Whipple) for design

Spring 2006 Due to building issues, plans pared down & funds routed towards HVAC issues

Unexpected Fork in the Road

• University capital request approved for 2-year phased project

• Architect (R.L. Whipple) and WPI Facilities partners

• Concerns: HVAC circulation & asbestos

• 2nd year funding dropped due to economy

• Funds redirected to building HVAC• Revised plans for merged desk and

offices emerge

One of the Many Revisions

Service Area Design ProcessTimeline

2001 New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) WPI report states library improvements are needed

2003 Defined Criteria & Specifications for Service Area

Faculty & Student Focus Groups

Staff Brainstorming

2004 Define Integrated Service Point Criteria & Specifications

2005 Partnered with campus facilities and architect (R.L. Whipple) for design

Spring 2006 Due to building issues, plans pared down & funds routed towards HVAC issues

May-July 2006

Construction on revised design

Aug 2006 Integrated service point & offices open for useSome improvements were made to main entrance level for users

2010 Phased construction projects continue as we move towards Information Commons and integrate the Technology Helpdesk

After

After

New Merged Desk

Before After

OLD

NEWInformation

Desk (reference side & new staff offices)

AV Room > Staff Offices

Before

After

Peaks

On the upside… • Building HVAC issues addressed• Integrated service desk implemented • A revised plan for staff offices was

implemented• More spaces for students & future

design of that area• Entire main entrance level re-carpeted

On the down …• Vision > Reality > Moment of Truth with

hidden expenses• Built fewer offices than needed, ILL

squeezed into small space• Most of the new offices lack privacy• Lack of funds to improve overall lighting

Valleys

A Few Things to Consider

• Keep dreaming and gathering input to create the library your users want and need.

• Seriously consider when to renovate vs. when to rebuild.

• Determine what makes most sense at your institution.

• Engage with your partners & do what’s best for users.

• Are small, phased, facelift projects worth it? • If building issues exist, be prepared for a rocky ride.

Moving Right Along: Info Commons

By August 2010 www.wpi.edu/+Library/About for details

This Journey Ends (for now)

Christine Drew Manager, Instruction & Outreach - Gordon Library cdrew@wpi.edu 508.831.6163

WPI

Founded in 1865 as Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science as nation's third-oldest private independent technological university

More than 50 project-based undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, management, social sciences, and humanities and arts

3160 undergraduates/1309 graduate students/314 faculty