Information Commons - notes from many sources
Anne Fullerton/ June 2002
What Happens in an Information Commons?
- open access space, groups study areas, e-classroom, high end multimedia workstations for specialized digital image work
- physical facility which organizes workspace and service delivery around the integrated digital environment.
- users (especially undergraduates) can compile, compose and complete papers, take-home exams and other assignments their coursework requires. "Wholly supports the whole research process from beginning to end." (Cowgill - CSU)
- write papers, tabulate data, design web pages and collaborate in groups using computers, all without leaving the library - a one-stop shopping mode of research and learning. (Emory)
- "an ideal environment that allows library users, accompanied by dedicated, knowledgeable consultants, to walk through the entire process of identification, retrieval, processing and presentation of needed information in whatever format exists." (Beagle)
- support the important relationship between information technology and academic scholarship.
- "an intellectual environment where curiosity, creativity and life long learning are sparked and nurtured." (Tradmark)
- emphasizes Library's role in the continuum of the scholarly process. Raises library's role on campus because they have the best pcs with the longest open hours. (CSU). Must recognize and enhance the multidimensional purposes of the library (see list College of NJ). Librarians assume greater and more effective roles in teaching important career skills to students (Dal)
- collaborative workspaces
- meet and greet -pickup spot (Trent) - friendly, supportive environ.
- librarians contextualizing information for users (= knowledge management) instead of handing them discrete chunks (beagle)
- library used more frequently and for longer periods of time (Halbert)
- all the assistance available 'gives students the info lit skills they need (Calgary)
- expert assistance at point of need is an important principle (IATUL)
- why in the library? Not all resources are electronic (or will ever be) and digital resources won't necessarily meet all needs- user has opportunity to move seamlessly from digital to print. Can't do this in a computer lab in another building. (IATUL)
- social value (IATUL) - social sharing that results from working and talking in groups - humanizes and enriches the learning process
- meta library - see library planning books - Leighton and Weber
- Nevada - we come to you philosophy
- Nevada - no access to "polaris" equivalent
- it's what the library always offered - knowledgeable aggregators and navigation which bring organization
Partnerships, how it started etc.
- IT and library under same head, in same building (Trent)
- IT supporting a computer lab in the library already (Guelph, CSU)
- writing centre looking for a home
- LT3/TRACE- like groups looking for a home
- had a large computer area, students kept asking for productivity software and email - so finally gave them what they wanted
- Arizona - Library, TRACE, IT partners
- Emory - integrate 2 libraries into 1 large complex - renos; new building added
- CLAIR (library and campus IT staff)
- UBC - peer tutoring, student development and Library
- UWired - you name it, they are a partner and more are welcome according to their webpage- academic dept, various centers, library, IT etc.
How might we configure Information Commons? # workstations , where its located etc.
- can be floor of an existing library (USC; UNC) or a separate building (U of Michigan; George Mason U)
- pods - 6 or 12 in a group (Nevada considered 2 seats per pc)
- pods scattered around the library reading areas including other floors
- rows in middle of library where Reference collection is
- UBC - relaxed environment - round tables for group work, comfortable seating
- laptops only? - plus 3 other rooms
- loaning laptops - wireless LAN - provide more convenient, cost effective acces to info resources and create environment that supports new modalities of learning (U. Arizona) - 3 hr loan (Emory); 4 hr (Windsor)
- U Arizona used laptops to create a larger computer lab cheaply and still have space available for meeting - wheeled security cart to store laptops
- CSU - 8,500 sq ft - >200 wkstn, thin clients with Citrix used to enhance efficiency of network response - client to server. - cheaper; easier to set up and maintain, plenty of processing power for most users
- Calgary - 250 workstations: 150 full features; 50 in a classroom; 20 for specialised info sources; 21 ports in 10 "collaborative workrooms" = group study
- hold 8 people each
- computer classrooms - 2 with 20 and 30 pcs. Open to users if no library classes scheduled. (CSU)
- general information and referral desk - U of T has -
- array of study and workspace options - from individual to group. See also George Mason's Johnson Center - accommodate variety of learning styles - classroom, small group, individual, appointment, drop-in
- configurations of workstations- 'critical mass of fundamental commonalties
- e.g. login procedure, common gui and menu, core set of software.
- individual and collaborative computer workstation areas with access to wide range of software tools besides e-resources and ready access to staff with specialized skills - computer, ref, media -holistic one stop shop
- 12 pods and 92 computers - Nevada
- user friendly systems - windows like, easy multitasking - security software not get in the way
- ref desk and separate service desk for student help - frequent model
- scheduling software to limit access time - not sure if it was used. At Emory, you can see from website which workstations are in use.
- express terminals opac only; full service; fs plus media resources; research and info (like current); fs plus disability user software
- special Info Commons websites created - Iowa-H; Iowa
- e-classroom can be split into 2 small ones or 4 at one site
Ideas, Possibilities for Davis
- student consultants - first and second term coop students from any discipline comfortable with software and willing to learn more
- loan laptops since library is set up for wireless access to web - CSU used this as a test to see what kinds of questions users would ask of desk staff (20 laptops for in library use only) - very few questions asked.
- users can bring their laptop to desk staff for assistance if wireless
- digital reference - one seat for information questions, one for software questions?
- RefWorks - pbm software to facilitate ref collection and use
- need a list of typical problems students have in campus computer labs - what don't they like now - create a better space
- Polaris or Nexus compatibility - future plans of Engineering, Math and Science Computing???
- financial support from WEEF? Science Society? Graduating student gift? Student Tech fee?
- layout should matches the reconfigurable corporate organization - where students will work - where project teams collaborate laterally across old hierarchical divisions. E.g. not rows which match the command and control organization.
- if more interdisciplinary programs - students participate from various disciplines
- e.g. DE presentation from UBC. - is this evident in Eng, Math and Sci programs?? Sci and Business?
- unique opportunity to provide (enhance) the intellectual and social space in Davis
- role of Library (and IC) as a marketing tool for UW - visible, identifiable and physical image (library as a beacon to prospective and current students - Nevada)
- Iowa Health - seat key decision makers and potential advocates for project at same table - Commons Advisory committee - separate groups advise on e-classroom, open access and multimedia area
Questions, Concerns we need to address
- Staffing
- Information Commons Librarian developed vision and goals; cord training and future planning for area.(Nevada); Information Commons Coordinator (Emory)
- mixture of Reference desk staff, student consultants for software questions and technical assistants
- ref staff reluctance re tech skills assistance - too far beyond their reference role -not good use of their time?
- how many hours - til building closes?
- highly trained software team addresses the difficult software question - Tech Team - also involved with training? Eased transition to ic CSU
- many use IST staff to manage area
- library's systems staff - not trained to work on service desks or provide direct assistance to users. Resolve database connectivity, mechanical workstation probs, software installation
- impact on staff job descriptions
- unlike ref questions, tech questions need immediate answers, not referrals
- tools for staff - multiple copies of Office 2000
- systems responses to technical problems must be asap - e.g. CSU problem with win95/98 formatted floppies and WinNT on workstations; lost data - Systems needs to convey the solution to all ref staff immediately and add issue to the minimum competencies curriculum
- redefining professional roles and responsibilities - impact on traditional reference services and staff specialization - vs hybrid staff
- still need specialized staff knowledge in subject and tech areas and effective targeted referrals (Halbert)
- Guelph - 15 Student Technology Peers; UBC - 15 Leaders in Learning Peer Assistants
- Nevada - 16 - 18 students; 3 at a time; al the hours the library is open 100/week - students rove every 20 min - trained in 3 day workshop 1 week before IC opened - details in paper; given weekly tutorials, quizzes and hands on assignments to be submitted and evaluated! Trouble shooting log
- 3 tiers - Iowa-H - 6-7 students @5 - 20 hours per week;
- how to id users who need help? Beepers to notify that computer is available
- responsive support in the e-classroom- help button on console
- Training
- info desk staff to learn productivity software and multimedia software?
- ongoing training for library staff and student consultants is crucial (Emory) since software changes rapidly - minimum competencies curriculum for staff, constantly added to
- staff must feel comfortable and competent
- a lot of time required for training - given use of all Office tools, scanners, email, etc.
- 90 minute sessions at CSU - Windows NT/Windows 2000; File Management: Part I and Part II; Troubleshooting and Maintenance; Applications: Viewers/Plugins; Applications: Utilities; Electronic Services: General - CSU info commons in place in 4 months. - see paper for topic breakdowns
- voluntary attendance; tutorials on the web and Libraries Staff Tip Sheets Web page
- also helps staff with their own work to know the above
- training staff for coaching from the side - not take over the mouse
- Access to library resources for community users and other non-UW users (TUG)
- internet use and notepad only due to authentication system (Nevada)
- licences for Microsoft Office etc. - limits?
- Student input
- Davis Quiet study are is large (1/3 of Library?)- response to student requests - need to differentiate and protect space re noise levels
- if a student in a dorm or computer lab has access to e-resources and needs help resolving a research problem, should the help be available in the dorm or lab via help desk technology - digital ref?
- impact on those looking for a traditional library experience
- part of the organizational structure since the inception (Calgary)
- social role of the place - social sharing that results from working and talking in groups - enriches and humanizes the learning experience. (IATUL)
- users should have strong voice in I.D. ing requirements and services (Tramdack)
- Staff Input - Planning
- staff reluctance to take on more software and technical issues - set up course of action that would "encourage and ensure maximum participation in the planning procedure" (CSU) e.g. discussions on current services in EIC and future possibilities - got unanimous support
- "importance of ensuring staff participation from the initial planning through implementation is critical
- minimal competencies list
- Costs
- architectural issues
- hardware and software up grades needed to replace and up grade
- Organizational Structure implications?
- IC creates an environment where old boundaries are blurred and many constituent activities flow across the old unit divisions. Sees unit heads spend less time and attention on core areas and more on boundaries between units. Called functional coordinators (Beagle)
- set standards for IC-centered services, to assess their impact and gauge their effectiveness (Tradmark)
- territorial issues with IT, LT3 groups etc.
- Future Uses of the area
- Decentralized Library Model - distributed access to services instead of centralized. Many mini info labs outside the library. Like branch libraries but enabled by technology, allows services and expertise to be relocated closer to users in their labs and offices. ?? grads and faculty yes - what about undergrads??
- does above mean we'd be further ahead to send ref staff to computer labs already existing?
- organizational directives of UW and its organizational culture and structure likely to determine the model
- flexibility - changing info tech - limited use of technology now in teaching/learning
- as IC develps, role of library will evolve with it (Tramdack)
- Assessment
- Nevada - fall 2001 - user satisfaction and ways to improve or change IC. Done??
- UBC - 2002 - How Learning Commons used, questions, concerns of students; successful programs etc to be assessed
Information Commons home
Anne Fullerton, Project Chair
February 23, 2007
