The document outlines the 6 month process of creating an Academic and Research Commons (ARC) from July to December 2012. It describes how reference librarians prepared by weeding the reference collection in July and August. They worked to find the right name and moved reference books to the main stacks and a new "Fishbowl" space. Cataloging played a key role in the transition. In October, new furniture and offices arrived and the ARC space was completed after 3 days of construction. International Games Day and holiday events were then held in the new ARC.

1. How to create an Academic and
Research Commons
in 6 months
July 2012-December 2012

2. Throughout July, Reference Librarians
prepared for the creation of the ARC
by weeding our Reference collection.

4. August also brought several name
changes while we worked to find
the one that fit us just right.

5. Finding temporary (and
permanent) homes for
our Reference books
began to feel like a
fulltime job during our
transition to the ARC…

6. Cataloging
played a huge
role in making
the ARC a
reality.
All these books
required record
changes to make
the move from
Reference to the
Main Stacks.

7. In addition to
moving to the main
stacks, some of our
Reference books
found a new home
in the “Fishbowl”…

8. While the 3rd
floor became
the new home
for our legal
reference
books.

9. To make room for
all the many
Reference books
moving up to the
main stacks, the
entire 4th floor
stacks are
currently
undergoing a
major shift.

10. September found us
starting the school year
still very much in
transition. Positive staff
and patient patrons
helped us carry on
“business as usual.”

11. Finally, on the morning of October
24, 2012, the wait was nearly over as
the arrival of new furniture and offices
was imminent.

14. After 3 days of
construction
everyone was eager
to check out the new
space.

18. International
Games Day @
Your Library
November
3, 2012

20. Holiday Spirit in
the ARC
December 2012

23. Thank you to everyone
that helped make our
ARC vision a reality.
Photographs by Courtney Paddick, John Creech, and Prairie Brown.