William Gray Potter
University Librarian and Associate Provost
University of Georgia
The Student Learning Center at the University of Georgia blends general classrooms with a library facility to provide a new level of integration of these functions. Within its 236,000 square feet, the building offers 2,200 seats in 26 general classrooms and 2,400 library seats. The library areas feature 500 workstations, a pervasive wireless network, 96 group study rooms, a traditional reading room, 4 instructional classrooms, soft seating, Moser furniture, and a coffee house. The blend of classroom and library functions has proven to be extremely popular with students since the building opened in August 2003. The building is operated as a partnership of the library, computing services, and instructional services.
This briefing will describe the building and its context, explore how expectations have meshed with actual experience, discuss the success of the partnership, and list some lessons learned. It is hoped that the presentation will lead to a discussion of directions in building design for libraries, classrooms, computer labs, and related facilities.
Web Link:
http://www.slc.uga.edu
Handout:
The Library as Place: The Student Learning Center at the University of Georgia
Presentation:
The Student Learning Center (PPT)