Developing a Learning Commons at
Abilene Christian University
Developing a Learning Commons at
Abilene Christian University
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DemographicsDemographics
Masters I - Comprehensive University4,786 Students4,236 Undergrad StudentsFounded in 1906Library Building constructed in 1970Additions in 1984 and 1997Walter H. Adams Center for Teaching Excellence created during 1997 addition.
Masters I - Comprehensive University4,786 Students4,236 Undergrad StudentsFounded in 1906Library Building constructed in 1970Additions in 1984 and 1997Walter H. Adams Center for Teaching Excellence created during 1997 addition.
Convergence of NeedsConvergence of Needs
Library Computer Lab Was CrowdedOpen Computer Lab ClosedDisparate Student Service LocationsFew Social Learning SpacesShifting Student Study HabitsDropping Library Gate CountStudent Apathy Toward Academic Research
Library Computer Lab Was CrowdedOpen Computer Lab ClosedDisparate Student Service LocationsFew Social Learning SpacesShifting Student Study HabitsDropping Library Gate CountStudent Apathy Toward Academic Research
Opportunity for Distinction
Opportunity for Distinction
Nationwide Success of Information Commons
Literature Supportive of Learning Commons Concept
Ideal Academic Environment
Nationwide Success of Information Commons
Literature Supportive of Learning Commons Concept
Ideal Academic Environment
Committed PartnersCommitted Partners
ACU Writing CenterEducational TechnologyInformation ServicesStudent Technology SupportAdams Center for Teaching Excellence
Administrative ServicesLibrary
ACU Writing CenterEducational TechnologyInformation ServicesStudent Technology SupportAdams Center for Teaching Excellence
Administrative ServicesLibrary
Upper Level SupportUpper Level Support
PresidentProvostDean of Library Director of Adams CenterChief Information OfficerVP for Operations
PresidentProvostDean of Library Director of Adams CenterChief Information OfficerVP for Operations
The ConceptThe Concept
Writing CenterStudent Technology HelpdeskOpen Computer LabPrint and Copy CenterCoffee BarSocial Learning SpacesResearch and Information Warm, Bright, Relaxed and Modern
Writing CenterStudent Technology HelpdeskOpen Computer LabPrint and Copy CenterCoffee BarSocial Learning SpacesResearch and Information Warm, Bright, Relaxed and Modern
Only One Problem…Only One Problem…
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Campus Buy-InCampus Buy-In
StudentFacultyLearning Commons Partners
Technology SupportWriting CenterAdministrative ServicesLibrary
StudentFacultyLearning Commons Partners
Technology SupportWriting CenterAdministrative ServicesLibrary
Present Model of Library Service
Present Model of Library Service
Primarily at the desktop (virtual or physical)
Encourages students to work in isolation
Primarily at the desktop (virtual or physical)
Encourages students to work in isolation
Where we are headedWhere we are headed
Greater emphasis on group work
Merging together of expertise from the university
Facilitate intellectual and social dialogue
Greater emphasis on group work
Merging together of expertise from the university
Facilitate intellectual and social dialogue
Planning ResourcesPlanning Resources
BYU Report of the Information Commons Team
Scott BennettLibrary as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. Washington, DC : Council on Library and Information Resources. http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub122/contents.html
Libraries Designed for Learning. (Council on Library and Information Resources, Washington, DC, 2003) http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub122/contents.html
BYU Report of the Information Commons Team
Scott BennettLibrary as Place: Rethinking Roles, Rethinking Space. Washington, DC : Council on Library and Information Resources. http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub122/contents.html
Libraries Designed for Learning. (Council on Library and Information Resources, Washington, DC, 2003) http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub122/contents.html
Visits to other institutions
Visits to other institutions
Texas Christian UniversityTrinity University (San Antonio, Tx.)
Texas Wesleyan UniversityColorado State UniversityIndiana University – Bloomington
Texas Christian UniversityTrinity University (San Antonio, Tx.)
Texas Wesleyan UniversityColorado State UniversityIndiana University – Bloomington
Challenge of Developing the Learning Commons
Challenge of Developing the Learning Commons
“To conceive of it as owned by learners, not by teachers, whether faculty or librarians”
Bennett, S. (2003) Libraries Designed for Learning, p.45
“To conceive of it as owned by learners, not by teachers, whether faculty or librarians”
Bennett, S. (2003) Libraries Designed for Learning, p.45
Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian University
Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian UniversityInvolving the StudentsInvolving the Students
Student InvolvementStudent Involvement
ArchitectureInterior Design Market ResearchCoffee Shop Name
ArchitectureInterior Design Market ResearchCoffee Shop Name
Survey Results Spring 2005
Survey Results Spring 2005
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H o w O ften D o Y o u S tu d y in a G ro u p ? (N =495 )
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Never S om e t im es A lway s
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H o w O ften D o Y o u S tu d y in a G ro u p ? (N =495 )
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Never S om e t im es A lway s
Do You Ever Bring Food or Drinks to the Library? (N=493)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Yes No
Do You Ever Bring Food or Drinks to the Library? (N=493)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Yes No
If the ACU Library sold/allowed food and drinks, would you be more likely to study there? (N=497)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes No Neutral/No Opinion
If the ACU Library sold/allowed food and drinks, would you be more likely to study there? (N=497)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Yes No Neutral/No Opinion
Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian University
Developing a Learning Commons at Abilene Christian UniversityInvolving the FacultyInvolving the Faculty
Top Faculty NeedsTop Faculty Needs
1. Computers and Technology More workstations Configured for groups, not
individuals
1. Computers and Technology More workstations Configured for groups, not
individuals
Our ResponseOur Response
Added 54 additional computersPod design to facilitate group use
Added 54 additional computersPod design to facilitate group use
2.Proactive Service ModelRoaming helpersWorkshops on technology and information skills
2.Proactive Service ModelRoaming helpersWorkshops on technology and information skills
Night seminars would help students learn to use the ACU Learning Commons
9.68
58.06
16.13 16.13
00
10203040506070
StronglyAgree
Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree
Percent
Prefer a "Barnes and Noble" atmosphere?
36.67
56.67
6.67
0 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
Strongly
Agree
Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Disagree
Percent
3. Relaxed Intellectual Atmosphere
“What you see influences
how you act.”
“What you see influences
how you act.”ArtworkMusicPoetry readings/performancesQuiet study/community spacesTask lighting, pleasing color scheme
ArtworkMusicPoetry readings/performancesQuiet study/community spacesTask lighting, pleasing color scheme
Key PartnerKey Partner
Adams Center for Teaching Excellence
Dedicated to faculty development in the areas of teaching, learning, and technology
Adams Center for Teaching Excellence
Dedicated to faculty development in the areas of teaching, learning, and technology
Current Faculty Culture: Isolated
Current Faculty Culture: Isolated
Faculty use of the library: 2-3 times a semester
Interlibrary loanUse journalsPersonal researchAccompany students
Faculty use of the library: 2-3 times a semester
Interlibrary loanUse journalsPersonal researchAccompany students
Inspired Faculty Culture: IntegratedInspired Faculty
Culture: Integrated
“Office hours” in LC“Office hours” in LC
I could envision using the LC to meet with students
20 23.33
0 3.33
53.33
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
StronglyAgree
Agree Neutral Disagree StronglyDisagree
Percent
The ChallengeThe Challenge
Merging of Organizational Cultures
Separate Reporting StructuresMultiple BudgetsIncreased Workload
Merging of Organizational Cultures
Separate Reporting StructuresMultiple BudgetsIncreased Workload
Contact InformationContact Information
Laura Baker
Mark McCallon
George Saltsman
Laura Baker
Mark McCallon
George Saltsman
Copyright Abilene Christian University 2006 This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.
Copyright Abilene Christian University 2006 This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.