The Commons

Elizabeth FlanneryJulie Keaty

Allison MennellaLee Sigman

What is the information commons?

 

A place for collaboration, connectivity, and

community 

Loyola Information Commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/2406552874/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Integrates the social and the academic 

OSU Information Commonshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dieverdog/2697960301/

Heart of the Campus

 

U of I Quadhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/woody24/2798352717/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Accommodates patrons lifestyles

 

Loyola Cafehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/kongtemplation/2909666853/sizes/m/in/photostream/

And more...

• Not library centric• Emphasizes the inclusion of patrons• Connects patrons with information• Provides collaborative spaces• A common point for information• A hub of activity• Emphasizes the creation and construction of knowledge• Integrates the library with the community

http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/lc/more.html

What are the motives to create an ideal commons?

 

Physical

 

D.H. Hill Libraryhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ncsulearningcommons/2388033846/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Technological

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yanajenn/4693925999/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Environmental

 

Green Roofhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/chicago2016/2757155721/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Needs of the patrons!!

 

Planning Process

 

Before...

 

Cudahy Library at Loyolahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/kschwoe/3045797967/sizes/m/in/photostream/

...After

 

Loyola Information Commonshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/tomspix/3730762930/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Partnerships in the Information Commons

Why is partnership essential?

Nazareth Collegehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/nazarethcie/5204493529/in/set-72157625335970633/

Essential component of the computer workstation environment

The HUB at William T. Young Libraryhttp://staceygreenwell.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-birthday-uncommon-commons.html

Students/Patrons need both research and technological assistance

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehubatwts/3292428219/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Offer different perspectives for improving service

Other Reasons:  

Help resolve problems more quickly

Allow for more accurate referrals   Remove barriers between departments with different cultures and values to meet the needs of a combined user audience

What Kind of Partnerships are Needed in the Information

Commons?

Basics: Reference Librarians Information Technology Staff Students/Patrons Administration/Board Members Key Community Members Stakeholders Support Staff                          Key community members/Donors

Other Ideas...

Sinclair Community College LibraryTutoring and Learning Center

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinclairlibrary/1894156656/

University of Tennessee LibraryThe Writing Center

http://www.lib.utk.edu/refs/writingcenter.html

Sinclair Community College LibraryAcademic Resource Center

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinclairlibrary/1454181051/sizes/m/in/photostream/

The HUB at William T. Young Library"GRUB AT THE HUB"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehubatwts/1408244233/commons.html

University of New Haven LibraryLibrary Cafe

http://www.newhaven.edu/library/general/JazzmanCafe/

How do you create these partnerships?

 Sinclair Community College Library Integrated Desk

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinclairlibrary/2048506732/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Service at a single desk

 

 

The HUB at William T. Young Libraryhttp://staceygreenwell.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-birthday-uncommon-

commons.html

Service at two separate, but co-located desks

 What are some challenges partnerships face?

#culturaldivide

Collaboration

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/principal/cio.html

 The creation of a "CIO" helps combat these problems

What is the Role of the "Reference Librarian" in the

Information Commons?

Monterey Institute of International StudiesText-A-Librarian Service

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarspri/4267162439/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Manage everything from face to face to digital communication

Sinclair Community College LibraryLibrary Instruction Classroom

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinclairlibrary/1894236862/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Teachers

Hennepin County Library "bookspace"

http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/

Work easily in online spaces

The Librarian In BlackBlog

http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/

Develop a strong online presence

Michael Stephens on Twitter @mstephens7

http://twitter.com/#!/mstephens7

Be where students are

http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/systems/learnCom/buffalo.htm

Actual jActual job

How

Marketing & Outreach

How do we find out what our users want out of the information commons?

        -Needs Assessments        -Surveys        -Focus Groups        -Feedback and suggestion boxes        -By talking to our patrons!

Marketing & Outreach

How do we get the word out?

    -Paid advertisements    -Word of mouth    -Partnerships with schools and community organizations

Feedback & Measuring Success

How do we know we are serving our patrons needs?        -Watching how people use the commons        -Suggestion and feedback boxes        -Unsolicited feedback and complaints        -Usage numbers and trends

 

Frequent feedback is key!

The Ideal Information Commons

 

What is a library?

A place to learn outside the classroom.

Leslie M. Haas, Director, Klarchek Information Commons, Loyola University

An Information Commons is…

a place for collaboration, connectivity and community

University of Dayton in Ohiohttp://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/PUB7102g.pdf

designed to support continued learning opportunities…

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee http://annelizclark.net/about.shtml

promote impromptu gatherings …

provide individual places for quiet reflection …

http://queensburycollege.com/

to provide a focal point on campus…

Loyola University’s Information Commons

where the elements of meeting, collaboration, and discovery come

together…

What does the ideal commons  need to have?

Flexibility

http://www.psfk.com/2010/05/library-or-bookstore-new-netherlands-branch-blurs-the-line.html

Collaborative work area Connecticut Collegehttp://faculty.rwu.edu/smcmullen/ConnecticutCollege.html

Technology

http://www.stthomas.edu/irt/support/labs/images/DSCN1891.jpg

YOUMedia Center at Harold Washington Library

Access to Information and Resources

YOUMedia Center at Harold Washington Library

Loyola University's Information Commons

University of Toledo Information Commons Information Desk

Variety of Spaces

A conceptual drawing of the Collaboratory area in York’s new learning commonshttp://www.yorku.ca/yfile/archive/index.asp?Article=14346

Loyola University’s Information Commons Group Study Room

LSU Health Sciences Commons A/V roomhttps://www.lsuhsc.edu/no/library/news/?cat=31

Learning Commons Santa Clara Universityhttp://annelizclark.net/about.shtml

Red River College Commonshttp://annelizclark.net/about.shtml

Convenience and Easy Access

Loyola University's Information Commons

Loyola University's Information Commons

Access to Coffee!

http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/about/commons/bathurst

Loyola University’s Information Commons Cafe