Presentation detailing the beautification and usage considerations of library spaces, given at The Collective, Knoxville, TN.

1. Spaces and Problems of All
Shapes and Sizes
Robert Kelshian & Matthew Smith - American
University
Julie Reed - Johnson C. Smith University
Derek Malone - University of North Alabama
https://goo.gl/biRMzI

2. University of North Alabama

3. University of North Alabama
What roadblocks have you encountered in planning or
implementing changes in how space is allocated at your library?
We're never going to get a new building or additional add-on space, so we need to think
hard about how to use what we have.

4. University of North Alabama
What kind of new spaces is your library looking to create and
how will that space be created?
I'd love for us to create a research commons where faculty, faculty-librarians, and
students can come together to collaborate on projects; where student work can be
featured; and where these different groups can socialize.

5. University of North Alabama
Our Issue - Services offered in another space - The Commons
(opened 2014)
University Success Center
Center for Writing Excellence
Math Learning Center
Tutorial Services
Testing Services
But, not our research consultations.

6. University of North Alabama

7. University of North Alabama
Thus, we have a space issue that concerns:
no cross-collaboration with those support departments;
service awareness for research consultations;
sharing of resources with other support services.

8. University of North Alabama
What happened?
Conversation with the Success Center.
Asking about space/service availability.
Negotiating parameters with our faculty.
Opened “Collier in the Commons.”
Making the space “ours.”

9. University of North Alabama

10. University of North Alabama

11. University of North Alabama

12. University of North Alabama

13. University of North Alabama

14. University of North Alabama

15. University of North Alabama

16. University of North Alabama
Results:
More collaboration with Success Center departments;
Cross-referencing of services;
Lack of virtual awareness.
...Gate Count

17. Johnson C. SMith University

18. Johnson C. SMith University
Storage
Built in 1999, we have 56,553 square feet and almost no
storage; lots of wasted space
Classrooms
● Only one, seating about 30
● Other classroom is now a coffee shop
Exhibit
Permanent exhibit took up 10 computers and a large study

19. Johnson C. SMith University
Study rooms
Only four for groups; never seem to be enough; no other
collaborative spaces
Computers
● Computer usage is very high; areas where students need
the most assistance are far from the reference desk
Makerspace
● Our current big issue; planned to be much bigger than it
will in reality; takes up most of first floor

20. Johnson C. SMith University

21. Johnson C. SMith University

22. Johnson C. SMith University

23. Johnson C. SMith University

24. Johnson C. SMith University

25. Johnson C. SMith University

26. Johnson C. SMith University

27. American University Library
Matt Smith, Circulation Services Manager, mtsmith@american.edu
Rob Kelshian, Director of Access Services, calvin@american.edu

28. Discuss with those around you
What space problems do you have at your library?
What roadblocks have you encountered in planning or
implementing space changes?
What kind of new spaces is your library looking to create?

29. Main SPACE Concerns
NOT ENOUGH!!!!
Storage
ADA/Accessibility issues
Making space work for different
patron groups (public and academic)
Small size; no quiet space
Funding/budget
Poor infrastructure
Not enough study rooms; not enough
event space
Circ and ref desk on different
floors; how to merge?
Justifying space needs to
administration
Students using space in
weird/nontraditional ways

30. http://learningspacetoolkit.org/

31. Comments? Questions?
Robert Kelshian & Matthew Smith - American
University
Julie Reed - Johnson C. Smith University
Derek Malone - University of North Alabama