Presentations
Notes for November 21, 2005 Senate Presentation
In this year’s update to Senate, I would like to start by referring back to our last meeting and the report on the UW Living-Learning project which was presented by Bud, Lois and Pam. I would like to applaud that report, in particular, because it highlights the importance of peer interaction among students and the development of core competencies by our students.
The focus of the Living-Learning Project report was on labs, lecture halls and residences. I would like to pick up on the spirit of the last slide of last month’s presentation. Pam indicated there that “and we’ve only just begun”. There are of course other living-learning areas on campus. As the Living-Learning Project report observes, “A living-learning environment is free-flowing and integrates learning where it happens…”
The 21st Century Library is very much a living and learning space. It is a place where extensive peer interaction takes place, where students and faculty engage in study and conversation, and where major information resources are available both on site and off site. Library services and systems are a key element of the learning and research infrastructure at the University of Waterloo. Last year when I spoke to you, I introduced the concept of the Next Generation Library - a hybrid library environment including:
- Digital & print
- Wired & wireless
- Physical space & virtual
During that presentation I highlighted the shift to electronic resources. Today I would like to focus on the physical library.
- The physical library is very important to our campus community, especially undergraduate students.
- During a typical day in mid October, we record over 10,000 visits to the libraries.
- Our libraries are busy places
Over the last year some exciting transformations have taken place within our existing walls:
Begin Power Point: Transforming Library Spaces
- RBC Information Commons [two slides]
- Major transformation of the Davis Library
- Officially opened Nov. 23, 2004
- $1 M donation from RBC
- Heavily used facility
- 3rd floor of Porter has been renovated and now provides: [two slides]
- The Peter and Betty Sims Reading Room that houses current periodicals
- a computing hub with 12 new workstations
- and within the next few months all the study carrels on the floor will have been replaced
- Officially opened on October 24, 2005-11-18
- $500,000 gift from Peter and Betty Sims
- IBM equipment throughout the libraries [two slides]
- To date we have received over $200,000 of IBM equipment through the UW Alumni @ IBM campaign
- By the end of the year, all public workstations on the main floor of Porter and Davis will be replaced with new IBM equipment
- We expect to receive an additional $200,000 over the next few years in equipment credits
- Sims Silent Study area in Davis [two slides]
- Gift from Economical Insurance Group in honour of Peter Sims
- Officially opened on October 24, 2005
- 128 new study carrels and chairs
What’s Next – Future Plans
Include:
- an electronic security system in Davis and Porter
- Porter – main floor to create an information commons
- Davis – e-learning lab on the main floor
- Create/enhance individual & group study spaces
Kresge Slide
How do we get there?
- The generous support of corporations, foundations, and individuals has enabled us to complete Phase One of our renovations
- Now we have an exciting opportunity and it’s called the Kresge Challenge
- The Michigan based foundation will award us a grant of $750,000 if we are able to raise the balance of funds needed to complete our renovations ($2.8M)
- currently have approx. 1.3M in gifts pending which leaves us with approx. 1.5 M to raise
- We have until Dec’06 to do it
- Kresge designs their awards to stimulate new gifts and new donors to a campaign
- They have looked at us very closely and think we are up for the challenge
- We are only the 2nd library in Canada to receive this award
- And we are working on all fronts (president and deans are behind this)
- Our own library staff were the first to be asked to step up to the challenge and I am proud to say they have responded tremendously - at last count 87% of Library staff are supporting the Challenge.
- The Library is a vital and integral part of the academic enterprise. It supports learning and research on a variety of fronts. As we move forward to create an environment that meets the needs of faculty, students, and staff, we will continue to be directed by the guiding principle: Service is primary and IT is integral. I would be pleased to take any questions.
Secretary to the University Librarian
Last Updated: December 7, 2005
