Library Commons Presentation to CCALD

The Library+ Commons @PC @PC: Retooling High--Touch Services for High-Tech Users in Academic Tech Libraries Beatrice R. Pulliam Providence College CCALD presentation Univ. of Bridgeport 6 February 2009 bpulliam@providence.edu

who we are: institution • private, liberal arts Catholic institution founded in 1917 • primarily undergraduate • >5000 students • 49 major areas of study • 9 graduate programs

who we are: library+ commons • 350,000 plus volumes (~ 6M through consortium) • 115 public desktop computers and laptops • one of the first wireless hotspots on campus • open avg. 106 hours per week • staff: 24 FT (9 librarians), 8 PT, ~20 students

commons definitions • information commons – creation of physical space(s) within library offering suite of technology resources and integrated services • computer lab like (workstations, printing, scanning, etc.) • one service point (information desk) • learning commons – information commons plus more ‘varied and adjustable collaborative workspaces’, and services that are traditionally provided outside the library • writing and advising services • faculty development • campus community activities (Source: Transforming Library Service Through Information Commons D. Russell Bailey and Barbara Commons: Tierney)

the library+ commons @ PC • integrated, technology technology-rich services • one-stop shopping • academic and social • collaborative learning spaces • Digital Commons – PC’s digital repository

renovations….it’s been a long road •multistage process that began in 2000 multistage •Phase 1 – 1st floor (now Lower Commons) (completed in 2004) ) •Phase 2 – 2nd floor (now Upper Commons) began May 2008 •Future - Phase 3

the library+ commons @ PC • lower commons • Circulation Desk w/Self Checkout station • Information Station • Creation Station and Digital Services Lab • ~ 40 computer workstations, scanners • Group study rooms • Quiet study areas • Presentation Rehearsal room

the library+ commons @ PC • upper commons • InTeLeR Desk (Interactive, Teaching, Learning and Research) • increased seating by 30% • ~30 individual study carrels forming a quiet zone around periphery of library • 20 high-end computing workstations end and faster printing • ‘Living Rooms’

upper commons (cont.) pper • Modified compact shelving (to accommodate growth of collection) • Easier access to Office of Academic Services (OAS), Writing and Tutoring services • Electronic Classroom and new OAS seminar classroom

the library+ commons @ PC • lower level commons • formally known as the ‘ugly’ floor • undergoing a ‘psychological’ renovation • smaller ‘living room’ and colorful artwork on walls • new computers and access to microfilm readers and scanners • Group study tables • Gourmet coffee machine

student reaction to renovation

retooling services •internal communication internal •consistency in rebranding consistency • PC commons •equipment purchases and creative use of equipment space • technology • ‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection •external communication external

retooling services •internal communication internal •consistency in rebranding consistency • PC commons •equipment purchases and creative use of equipment space • technology • ‘living rooms’, individual study carrels and places for individual reflection •external communication and outreach external

retooling services etooling • use of social tools • encore catalog • libguides • traditional instruction • tiered research assistance • self-service (self checkout system)

our library commons in pictures

InTeLeR* Desk – architect’s rendering *Interactive, Teaching, Learning and Research desk designed by D. Russell Bailey, Library Director, Phillips Memorial Library

one stop (service) shopping • LCA Is,, SCAs at Circulation Desk • RLs, LCLs, and SCAs at Ref and Research Desk • LCA IIs at InTeLeR desk

times-are-a a-changin’ • ‘information is social’ • library systems shifting from ‘documents to ibrary conversations’ • user centric and user control • ‘participatory librarianship’ (Source: R. David Lankes’ IFLA Satellite Conference, Boston, 2008: http://quartz.syr.edu/rdlankes/blog/?p=523 )

our library commons in pictures (cont..)

upper commons pics

self checkout in lower commons

training in the commons •staff – slower transition • varied skill sets = steep learning curve •students – faster transition • ‘digital natives’

tips for cross training and motivating staff •staff as active partners in training (Google Docs) staff •training should be ongoing training •make training fun - ‘sandbox’ time •external communication •teach staff to expect and embrace change . teach be “change ready” •develop technical competencies develop •Sara Houghton-Jan’s technology competencies Jan’s and training report for Library (available from ALA Techsource)

more library commons photos @PC • http://www.flickr.com/photos/pclibrarycom mons/sets/72157605193341600/

the library gets ‘mobbed’ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruEMaD ZWRcs • ‘flash mob’ break during Fall 2008 final exam week at UNC Chapel Hill

metrics (what we gather) • laptop checkouts • access services transaction stats • information station stats • headcounts

metrics (to do) • look for relationships between individual stats • use analysis to improve service • focus groups • share results with patrons (visualization) • Aaron Schmidt’s ILS visualization of Circ data: http://www.walkingpaper.org/1123

the take away • our incremental transition has been successful but not without challenges • impact of the double monitors has revitalized our reference and research desk • positive feedback from students • staff want more training! • development of technical competencies in process

go forth, begin the conversation and integrate your services...

come visit us... Beatrice R. Pulliam Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access Phillips Memorial Library Providence College bpulliam@providence.edu presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/bpulliam

Library Commons Presentation to CCALD

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