The Learning Commons at Bayview University Library

Problem Solving Team One (HE Qingfan, Kevin LEUNG, LUO Fengping, TANG Xiaoli, Y.C. WAN, WU Cheng-Juei

& XIANG Yang)21 April 2008

Bayview University Library (BUL)

A student population of approximately 14,000 plus a 3,000 strong faculty

Suffered total loss when it was hit by earthquake on April 1, 2008

The library is under re-construction The President of the University asked

to create a Learning Commons (LC) that will take up one-fourth of the space of the new library

Our agenda is …

to develop answers to the following LC-related issues in three days for John Johnson, the acting library director:

What should the LC be like physically and service wise?

What physical characteristics should it have?

What services will it provide? What new services, if any, will be

offered that were not offered before? What other departments of the

University should participate? How can other departments of the

University be encouraged to participate?

Will we need to charge for some services while others are free?

Should the learning commons-like replace the library?

What should the LC be like physically and service wise?

Seamless integration of technology into the provision of services

One-stop convenience Accommodating needs of different

user groups 24x7 services Innovative Attentive to user needs

What physical characteristics should it have?

Inviting, attractive, comfortable and informal

Convenient Flexibility in layout and services Good connectivity, wired and

wireless Easy to self navigate Environmental friendly

Architecturally, the LC should:- Located on G/F and 1/F- Also include space outdoor - Occupy two floors - Allow lot of sunshine to go into the

building

What services will it provide?

Seats for single study Space for group

discussion and collaborative learning

Computer hardware/software for doing assignments

Workstations for searching library catalogue, accessing electronic resources, surfing the Web, sending emails, etc.

Reference and library help

DVD viewing CD listening Library skills and

information literacy training

Scanning, photocopying and computer printing

Lockers Public telephone

What new services, if any, will be offered that were not offered before?

Career and personal development counseling

Student advisory services

Language help Café Barber shop Lockers for charging

laptops Notebook lending

IT help Book shop Book drop Facilities for

students with disabilities

Drinking fountain Binding services Shower room Game room Gym room

What other departments of the University should participate?

Computer/IT support Language Center Registry Counseling Unit Career Advisory Unit Student bodies Catering Unit

How can other departments of the University be encouraged to participate?

Explain to them that the LC will enable their units to be more visible

Fitting out their services counters/areas Membership in the management

committee Help train their staff to work in the LC Convince the University to allocate

these units extra staffing

Will we need to charge for some services while others are free?

Food and drink sold at the Café as well as haircut at the barber shop should not be free.

Other services provided by the LC should be free to students and faculty of Bayview University

We should charge outsiders an annual fee for gaining access to the LC

Should the learning commons-like replace the library?

No, we don’t think so. The LC should work hand-in-hand

with the library, or no matter how it will be called in future, to meet the needs of students and faculty at Bayview University

But, can the LC be allocated more space?

Thank you for your attention!