For further reading and reference on Information Commons and Library as Place:

Transforming the Physical Library Space: Library as Place and Information Commons in Iowa Academic Libraries

by Kate Hess and Kathy Magarrell

As academic librarians in the 21st century, we are in a unique position to alter the perceptions and preconceptions of students, faculty, staff and visitors to our campuses. The academic library, in the words of Geoffrey Freeman, “has always held a central position as the heart of an institution” as a “center of learning and important gathering place for scholars.” But we've also needed to deal with the physical design of library buildings that were “primarily devoted to the preservation and security of materials and to the efficiency of the library collection services”. (1) This may sound like a view of the past, but as recently as 2003 Ohio State librarian Scott Bennett found through a survey of academic library directors, that the data they gathered before planning their remodels was “poorly balanced, tilted heavily toward library operations and away from systematic knowledge of how students learn”. (Bennett, 11) The librarians that we interviewed for this piece would seem to reject that view. All responded that their awareness and observation of how students learn and work was a driving force in their library remodels. Contrary to the opinions of some that academic libraries would become a thing of the past as more and more information is accessed online, we are seeing that library remodels have had a dramatic impact in increasing usage. Freeman cites several examples of prominent college and university libraries where, with collaborative planning, “the demand for services and technological access to information, regardless of format, is beyond expectations.” (2)

It is now almost fifteen years since The University of Iowa Libraries opened its Information Arcade, an early model of the information commons. The concept of the Information Commons can be defined “as a conceptual, physical, and instructional space that involves an organizational realignment from print to the digital environment.” (Beagle) How are academic librarians in Iowa today responding to the changing needs of their students? Are we giving adequate consideration to the library as a place for student learning? Is the information commons concept a workable idea for every library? We present here an overview of the literature and a few snapshots of Iowa libraries as they prepare and implement changes in their physical environment.

Bette-Lee Fox in Library Journal reports that a total of 29 academic libraries nationwide completed either a new building, a remodel, or an addition in the 2005-06 fiscal year. (par. 1) This year there are three large academic libraries in Iowa doing major remodels, and a fourth that completed a remodel in 2005. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are both remodeling spaces with the information commons concept in mind, with the emphasis on both technology and integration of services that this term implies. (Bailey, 277) Kirkwood Community College is completing a major renovation with a heavy emphasis on making the library an inviting place for student research and collaboration, and Scott Community College completed a remodel with similar objectives in mind.

One of the more striking components of the information commons is the accommodation for collaborative work among students, and the collaboration among librarians and technical support staff in implementing the ideal of seamless service for students. (Bailey) Providing help to students at their point of need and from the appropriate professional often requires not only renovating physical space, but transforming how different departments and staff members work together and function on a daily basis.

Please see the bottom of the page for a list of works cited, and see the left side column for additional articles, books and websites.

Iowa State University , Parks Library

Dave Baldwin, Associate Dean for Reference and Instruction at Parks Library, shared some detailed information regarding their current remodel. The current reference area, reference desk, lobby, and computer work stations on the first floor are all affected. The newly remodeled area will be known as the “ Learning Connections Center ,” and will “transform facilities and services provided in the Parks Library into an interactive group space.” New workstations will allow students to work together in groups with the ability to share a computer. Multimedia studios “allow students to create multimedia products” for classes. Also included in the space are individual computer workstations, quiet study carrels, group study rooms, and the Bookends Café. The new reference desk is set to be staffed by librarians, IT staff and students, who will together respond to student research and technical needs.  

The purpose of the remodel was to “increase student use of library reference services and research collections as part of a broad collaborative set of information and technology services. The new service point is designed to respond to today's student learning styles and provide collaborative spaces for small group study and research.” Baldwin stated that librarians have observed that students need a place where they can work together on projects, and have access to computer resources as well. “Students were pulling their chairs together around a computer, pushing tables together for group study, and booking study rooms solidly until closing.” This new Center will provide that much needed work space for students.

University of Iowa , Main Library

Later this spring, The University of Iowa Libraries is preparing to unveil its newest addition: a flexible, configurable, high-tech classroom in the Main Library. According to Nan Seamans, Associate University Librarian, Research and Information Services, "With ubiquitous access to the Internet and the exploding amount of information available electronically, the needs of students and faculty have shifted from access and instruction to services and consultation." As Ms. Seamans points out, there is a continued effort on collaboration, "but with a shift toward more student-centric collaboration." These principles are the driving force behind the new classroom. Physical flexibility will allow optimal pedagogical advantages for faculty with varying teaching styles and requirements. The flexible classroom will also allow students to work in small groups while still having access to high-powered workstations, access to their course websites, and to the multitude of electronic resources available through the Libraries.

The new space also encompasses 2 project rooms. These enclosed spaces are suitable for student projects that require more intensive group work, and are ideal for brainstorming activities. One of the most common requests from students is more space for group work.

As Lisa Martincik, Head, Information Arcade, points out, "the new classroom provides an opportunity to offer more hands-on learning for all types of classes and adds a dimension of mobility. Multiple student groupings will be possible in a computer classroom without wires and stationary desks. Collaboration in research and creation is increasingly recognized and valued, even expected; the Libraries prides itself in providing opportunities for all kinds of study environments."

Kirkwood Community College Library, Cedar Rapids Campus

Arron Wings, Library Director, responded to our questions on the renovation of the Kirkwood Library. The whole library is being renovated, with the 1st floor done during fall semester, and the 2nd floor being completed spring semester. The physical appearance is completely new, with the only reused materials being the library collection itself and the computers. A fresh air exchange, new HVAC system, and new electric wiring and communications cablings required renovation of the existing structure.

Above: the newly renovated 1st floor reference desk. New colorful carpeting, paint and furniture, as well as the rearrangement of new book stacks, have transformed the library into a very colorful and inviting environment for student use. Service and back office areas were also reconfigured.

The “library as place” concept figured prominently in planning, with group study rooms, increased number of soft furniture, and inviting reading areas being some of the outcomes. Wings stated that although the “information commons” seems to be “the future,” individual libraries need to consider their own students and staff expectations. For Kirkwood , this was not the right time for the “digital focus” that is one integral part of the information commons.

Scott Community College

The remodel of Scott Community College Library was a complete renovation of their current space. Though not quite as extensive as the Kirkwood remodel described above, it was also a situation where the library was not gaining any extra space, but needed to make the most of what space they had. Stacks and staff were relocated for a short period of time, and the library space was “gutted” and renovated during winter break and the beginning of spring semester of 2005. Student input played a large part in this remodel, as design students actually drew up the plans as part of a class project. Scott Communiyt College Librarian Jane Campagna reports that the focus on giving the library a “colorful inviting atmosphere” paid off in a 71% increase in average weekly library traffic in fall 2005, as compared to fall 2000. Wall and carpet color and stuffed chairs were important to students, and rearrangement of staff and service areas improved the look and efficiency of library operations. A student survey done after completion of the remodel reinforced Campagna's impression that the remodel was a success, with student comments such as “It is very nice & brings a good comfortable climate to the place.” Library as place was at the heart of this remodel.

Above: Scott circulation desk before...	...and after remodel.

As far as the “information commons” concept, Campagna sees this as the future of Scott. The library there already serves as the de facto “open computer lab” for the campus, where students come to work on papers and projects. In the words of Campagna, “The library staff is inundated with questions about computer problems from printing to how to double space. This is where they are working on their projects, this is where they need the help.”

Bibliography

Bailey, Russell and Barbara Tierney. "Information Commons Redux: Concept, Evolution, and Transcending the Tragedy of the Commons." Journal of Academic Librarianship 28.5 (2002): 277-286.

Beagle, Donald. "Conceptualizing an Information Commons." The Journal of Academic Librarianship 25.2 (1999): 82-89.

Bennett, Scott. "Righting the Balance." Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space Ed. Council on Library and Information Resources. Feb. 2005. <http://www.clir.org/PUBS/abstract/pub129abst.html>.

Fox, Bette-Lee. "Betwist and Be Teen." Library Journal Dec. 2006. <http://www.libraryjournal.com>

Freeman, Geoffrey T. "The Library as Place: Changes in Learning Patterns, Collections, Technology, and Use." Library as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space Ed. Council on Library and Information Resources. Feb. 2005. <http://www.clir.org/PUBS/abstract/pub129abst.html>.