Learning Commons: What’s Working?

John Culshaw
Associate Director for Administrative Services
University of Colorado at Boulder

Joan K. Lippincott
Associate Executive Director
Coalition for Networked Information

Anu Vedantham
Director, Weigle Information Commons
University of Pennsylvania

When libraries renovate spaces and develop learning or information commons, they often provide collaborative workspaces for students, a variety of hardware and software for content creation, and services that may incorporate library reference, help with information technology, and student services such as writing assistance. The investments made in the renovations and in the array of equipment and services offered are high, and yet libraries often have unclear notions of what the commons has achieved. How are some libraries conceptualizing their informal and formal assessments of the success of their learning or information commons? This session will include discussion of two different approaches to this challenge:

The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Norlin Commons opened in 2009. The Commons is a technology-enhanced, flexible, and holistic space offering a variety of learning environments including individual study, collaboration stations, classroom, and group study rooms. Open on a 24/5 basis during the academic year, the Commons is home to the Laughing Goat Norlin café, Bugbusters IT services, and the Writing Center. Culshaw will describe why they believe the Commons has been a resounding success in its first year of operation.

The Weigle Information Commons at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries opened in 2006 and is a crowded, exciting crossroads on campus. Focused on undergraduates, the Commons brings together three program partners for academic support in reading, writing, academic planning, research, public speaking and technology. Facilities include self-service video-recording rooms, Data Diner booths, a full-service media lab and a high-tech teaching space. Vedantham will describe how the Commons works closely with faculty and students in several academic disciplines to support new media class projects including videos, posters, comic books and Web sites, and provides extensive training and professional networking opportunities.

The presenters will invite input and ideas from attendees.