Categories Library Spaces

198 posts

Posts highlighting cool or unusual (or not so great) things that people are doing in libraries

Hyperlinked Library Library Spaces

On the Learning/Information Commons

I’ve become fascinated with the idea and implementation of the Commons in academic libraries of late. It’s very much part of what I call The Hyperlinked Library. These past few months, I’ve wrote about the commons at ALA TechSource blog. Please take a look if you are interested. The Space Had to Say WOW: Indiana University South Bend Student-centered Digital Learning: Loyola University Keeping the Library Relevant: Georgia Tech

Library Spaces

Productivity workstations as far as the eye can see

Productivity workstations as far as the eye can see, originally uploaded by julieshen. julieshen writes: This is the Cal Poly Pomona University Library’s brand new productivity center. It’s located next to the Reference Desk (now called the Research Help Desk), which shares space with staff providing technical help, and part of our new learning commons. It’s not open for use yet, but once it’s ready the productivity workstations will have the normal Microsoft Office software suite along with a lot of other software, including GIS and SPSS. It’s part of theexpansion we’ve been going through for the past 2 years: www.csupomona.edu/~library/TheNextChapter/

Library Spaces

Buildings need to Inspire

http://education.guardian.co.uk/librariesunleashed/story/0,,2274826,00.html Colleges and universities are on a similar learning curve. Today’s student population is more diverse, it demands e-learning and online resources including Web 2.0 technologies, and has higher expectations of physical space. Meanwhile, researchers and academics are calling for better access to digital resources. With so much information coming to students online through various fixed and mobile devices, universities and colleges need well-designed work and study spaces. Libraries are leading the way in developing innovative learning spaces in which people can make productive use of powerful combinations of information and technologies on their desktop – including communication and collaborative […]

Library Spaces

Library Fail

Chris Harris writes: http://schoolof.info/infomancy/?p=530 Imagine our surprise, however, when we entered the manga library to be welcomed with this sign that fails on so many levels.Leaving aside the quite horrific fail, we still have to deal with the unfortunate fact that this sign maker’s perception of libraries is that they are mainly quiet. What made this more sad was that the day before I had been one floor up in the same hotel talking about the fact that libraries are not just about being quiet anymore. That we have learned to change and meet user expectations; that we have adopted […]

Library Spaces Web 2.0 & Library 2.0

Reference Areas at CML

Reference Areas at CML, originally uploaded by mstephens7. ONE MORE from Columbus Metropolitan Library. The other thing that knocked me out was this reference area where the library staffer and patron would stand together on the same side and look up information. The desk as “fortress” was nowhere to be seen in this area. I spoke with Jack who told me that both staff and patrons like this new set up. NICE!

Library Spaces

Laptop locks

Laptop locks, originally uploaded by Musebrarian. Musebrarian writes: Laptops are always being stolen from students at the Grainger Engineering Library. This has to be one of the more brilliant solutions to the problem that I’ve seen. I used to have a lock, but didn’t always carry it with me. Posted for Michael Stephens, who apparently collects library signage.