University of Washington Research Commons
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The University of Washington Libraries serves a multi-campus university with over 16 branch libraries and colleges. In 2008, the libraries recognized changes in student and faculty research behaviors with decreasing print usage and increasing digital resources usage. This led the libraries to re-evaluate service models and prepare facilities for ongoing changes in research and learning. The document provides contact information for two library staff members to learn more about the University of Washington Research Commons.
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University of Washington Research Commons
- 1. University of Washington Research Commons Stephanie Wright Data Services Coordinator January 24, 2012
- 2. Who We Are Mission: The UW Libraries advances intellectual discovery and enriches the quality of life by connecting people with knowledge. 16 Branch Campus Libraries Multi-campus university: Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell 16 colleges and schools. World-class academic medical center. Average student headcount on Seattle campus: 43,000 Graduate: 11K - Undergrad 28K – Professional 4K
- 3. Where We Were 2008: New Models of Service Delivery •Low dependence on print •Decrease in on-site use by graduate students and faculty •High dependence on digital resources •Multiple shelving and service points •Deteriorating budget climate •Need to prepare facility for change
- 25. More Information Stephanie Wright Data Services Coordinator / Atmospheric Sciences Librarian swright@uw.edu Lauren Ray Research Commons Librarian / Educational Outreach Services Librarian olray@uw.edu
Editor's Notes
- Brief overview of the size of the University of Washington and our library system. The Libraries mission statement is included here and actually has relevance to this space transformation. Take Risks Especially When Combined With OpportunitiesWe had 30 layoffs the year the RC was built. We had an opportunity with the integration of the Natural Sciences Library into the larger graduate library. Grab money from provost that came mostly due to a closure of a major computer lab on campus and because the Husky Union Building, a central place on campus for student activities was going to close for a couple years for renovation. She saw the value in investing one time money. - don’t underestimate that people will want to partner with you, especially where you’re offering overlapping services in a budget crunch
- In 2008, the UW Libraries found itself in a position that was similar to many other academic libraries. Our assessment methods and metrics were telling us that use of the Libraries had shifted over the years and with the budget situation the way it was (and still is) we needed to make some changes to better meet the needs of our users. To that end, the Dean of Libraries appointed a task force to review new models of service delivery. They looked at the data and in 2008 they came out with a report with recommendations and one of those recommendations was to integrate the existing Natural Sciences Library collection into the larger Suzzallo and Allen graduate libraries collection which resided in the same building to create a larger collection with one long call number run. This would free up over 15 thousand square feet for repurposing into a space that would foster collaboration . What we hoped would be a
- Here’s kind of what the old Natural Sciences layout looked like. The yellow rectangles are the old circulation desk at the top and the reference desk at the bottom, the gray boxes are stacks. The two in the upper right were book stacks and the one at the bottom was our reference stacks. The green rectangle was a group of computer workstations. In the lower right you can see the old staff space which had a couple offices, a conference room and a bunch of cubicles.
- First design… circles were part of the carpet to try to identify how different spaces were “supposed” to be used. And here’s where we began to learn our second lesson and that was the value of an iterative design process. the design process was user-centered and involved charettes and other user involvement throughout the design process including furniture and equipment evaluation In the design charettes, what was learned is that the students wanted to be able to define their own spaces… also that they wanted vibrant colors. Sooo….
- Here is the design of the new Research Commons when it first opened. You can see we didn’t take down or put up any new walls. We kept the two office spaces back in the old staff area but that’s it for staff space. The Research Commons Librarian, our Grants & Funding Information Service and myself are the only staff housed in the Research Commons. We have group collaboration rooms where the old circ desk used to be and the old copy room and work area, as well as the staff conference room. The white rectangle puzzle pieces you see here were where we’d originally put computer workstations. What you can’t really tell from this is that most of the furniture is movable. Everything except the workstations, the booths, and the mediascape can be and does get moved around. - we didn’t settle with the first iteration of the RC. Within weeks of it opening, the RC staff began observational assessments to identify when users came to the space, how they used it and whether the space fostered collaboration. We discovered some furniture didn’t work so well, and other furniture was really popular – whiteboard tables are a HUGE hit, the “campfire” seating, not so much. More assessments have led to further changes. Discussion groups this past Spring brought to our attention that the computer workstations and their configuration were confusing the purpose of the space. As a result we removed a lot of them and the ones that are left are in an arrangement that is more conducive to being used by more than one person. It’s ongoing.
- This space gets used for lots of things and is where we come to the third lesson and that is the idea of the Commons as a platform. - services are based around events and connecting people. The equipment in the space doesn’t define what the space means.
- Here a graduate student presentation.
- This was a GIS Day event… we had faculty and students and researchers from the local community in the Research Commons for an all day event with lectures, a student poster exhibit and expert “clinics” for those tough to answer GIS questions.
- When there isn’t anything scheduled in the space, the students do with it what they want. Notice the electrical cords hanging from the ceiling. We knew from multiple assessment methods that students wanted more outlets. Unfortunately, right below the Research Commons is our Special Collections so we couldn’t just drill holes in the floor to add outlets. So we hung them from the ceiling.
- These whiteboards can be used as a projection screen or as a whiteboard. They’re defining how the space can be used.
- Here’s the Media Scape. Four people can hook their laptops up at once and by using “pucks” can change which laptop screen is displayed on the monitors. Here you can see a faculty member working with a group of students.
- The furniture gets moved around a LOT.
- Another example of the iterative design process. Here is the old new books & periodicals reading room.
- Upper right is the “campfire” seating we originally had in the space. It didn’t go over well and the room was hardly used. We took that seating out, moved it to other parts of the RC and put in these lecture style chairs and a plasma screen. It’s been used for seminars and orientations this year and when it’s not scheduled for an event, again the students move the stuff around and make it work to meet their needs.