The Social Library

Introduction

Last April, I attended the Computers in Libraries Conference 2008 (Arlington, VA) and one of the sessions I found interesting was Tom Ipri’s on libraries as “Learning Commons.” The following is the abstract for Tom’s session:

Despite the perception that patrons are abandoning libraries and conducting all their research online, library as place remains important for many users… In what ways can technology enhance patrons library experience? Many libraries have embraced the idea of a “Learning Commons” to keep pace with students technology expectations. This session reviews what innovative libraries are doing with gathering spaces to make the library experience more enlightening and fun, while also using technology to make the library a place of destination.

Criteria

So, what does a “Learning Commons” type of library look like? The following are some of the features you might find:

1. movable furniture
2. wifi
3. laptops
4. group workstations
5. computers that have multimedia software
6. large scale printers
7. opportunities for tutoring
8. vending machines
9. white boards
10. feeling of “de-centeredness”
11. positive emotional experience.

Furniture

It made me think about how we use our library space. Although most of our furniture is not bolted down few people move tables or chairs to different parts of the library. We have a number of carrels which can not be moved. There’s also a couch area where students can relax. The children’s library has padded seating in the shape of cylinders and cubes which are very popular with the younger set.

Wifi

Although we have wifi some students find it a bother to go to the tech department to get on the network. I am often asked “What is the password for getting onto the network?” Others are put off by the fact that you have to have anti-virus software, and once you are registered it takes a day before access is possible.

Positive Emotional Experience

We don’t have a lot of rules but the ones we do have are regularly tested. One of them is a cellphone ban, and another is the consumption of drinks and snacks, (water in a bottle with a screw lid is OK). Both activities are permitted in the lobby area of the library. Sometimes I feel it is a losing battle, and yet students tell me they often come to the library because it’s a quiet place unlike the computer labs.

Designated Use

We have one space called the “Quiet Room” which is technology-free, i.e., no laptops. I explain to students that New York is a noisy city and that we’ve had requests from our patrons to provide a quiet space where the only activities allowed are silent ones such as reading or writing. One feature of this room is large work tables where students can spread out and work on assignments.

Constraints

There are plenty of opportunities and spaces for tutoring, but not so many for groupwork. We’ve had to come up with a list of places in the college where this might be possible such as the graduate lounge, the cafetaria, and the unlikely possibility of an empty classroom, and of course our lobby. Library users quite often want to use the “Quiet Room” for collaborative activities.

I’ve quizzed students about why they prefer the library over the computer labs and the answer is usually “Well, you have all the resources (books).” The computer labs are where you’ll find multimedia software, color printers, scanners, and personnel who can help with making movies and slide shows.

As an institution we are not quite there when it comes to loaning out laptops, white boards, or having vending machines on site.

Slideshow

Here is Tom Ipri’s SlideShare PowerPoint presentation.