Changing Spaces in Libraries
Hi everyone,
My Library Manager is interested in the impact that new ways of learning and teaching have on our physical spaces. She wants to know what academics and students are doing this year, that might mean a different use for our library space, and how can we (the library), help to accomodate the changing learning environment?
I'm aware that our library is on the waiting list to have Wireless, and I have a few more suggestions such as having a central learning commons, group study rooms, virtual space environments-blogs etc. How do you use your library spaces? Are there teaching staff out there that have any new needs or noticed the changing environment? If so please let me know. What would you like to see happening in tertiary libraries? What's happening in your library? What about you librarians out there... are you experiencing changing spaces? What's happening for you in your library. What's changing?
I'd be really interested to know. Any feedback would be really helpful.
posted by Wendy @ 7:36 pm
8 Comments:
Great to see you're getting wireless. Will it be free and open wireless? Like Hoyts? Doubt it, but that would be great. You could limit access still, by making a spash page for people trying to get on would have to go past first - that way minimising traffic a little and promoting the library service with a nice "this service is happily provided to you by Billy Bob - making access to information free and easy"
I would plaster the walls with how tos.. how to set up a blog, how to critique a wikipedia article, where to get free pictures, how to use YouTube... stuff like that, the list would be endless. Make them nice and large, but printable to A4 handout as well.
Laptops to loan out. Laptops to lease. MP3 recoders. Bluetooth file servers for lecturers to load MP3 of their lectures and for students to load the MP3 to their phone when they walk in.
24hour access to computer labs, with community events like LAN parties possible.
More?
Library 2.0 links
http://del.icio.us/tag/library2.0
Thanks Leigh,
I'm collating comments and will add them to my own. Anymore suggestions?
I don't know if the wireless will be free or not. I agree with you that it's a great opportunity to advertise the library. I like the idea of being able to loan/hire lap tops, MP3 recorders etc. There are many students out there that can't afford their own. If we had a learning commons we could have everything a student could need all in one place-laptops, computers, printers, videos, books, course readings, photocopying, comfortable areas to work in, and IT and Library help desks. I can see it all...what a service! ...Yeeeaaaahhh....
HI Wendy
Do you want to move my emailed response into here - also will pick up your blog and add into my very emergent one!!!
M
This is Merrolle's response
HI Wendy
I'd go with the comments of Leigh - and why not go all the way and create a Second Life library!! But serously I agree that wireless is essential, as is access to more of the journals as ejournals. Also I'd love to see the library open up (I know licensing is an issue) for more users who are not our enrolled students. What frustrates me immensely is that within the institution we are 'resource-rich'. We can access the electronic databases, get the online articles etc.. but once students leave here they have much fewer options to continue to grow and learn from the published literature (anyway!). IF they go to a DHB they are likely to get access to a medical library which usually has few OT journals.. if they go to anywhere else their access is almost nothing! So lets know just think about our students, but what happens after they leave!
Everyone: A big THANKS to everyone for your ideas and comments regarding learning spaces and what you would like to see in the library. I've forwarded your comments on to my Library Manager who will be taking them to the Accommodation Planning meeting in a couple of weeks time. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the discussions. I'll try to keep you all posted.
I've made more enquiries re. Wireless at the Link in the University. Apparently it is free, but you need to have your computer registered at ITS before you can log-on. Therefore, unfortunately, it isn't open access to everyone. I'm presuming that when our library has wireless the same conditions will apply, and access for Polytech staff and students is something the Polytech Management Team will have to negotiate...but that is a way down the track.
Merrolee: I did make enquiries about Alumini access to the library. University Alumini members have access to the University libraries, and can borrow books, but they have no access to the databases. I imagine this would be due to licensing issues and cost, and I agree with you, that once the students leave the institution, they have less opportunity to access electronic articles. What we try to do in the library is equip students with searching skills that they can transfer into their workplace. Google Scholar is getting bigger and better. PubMed and Cochrane databases are freely available to use by the general public, although some articles do incur a charge. If fulltext is not available, and they are lucky enough to have library facilities in the hospital/institution where they work, they can ask for an interloan. Failing that, they could try their local Public Library interloan service which may not be as convenient, and there would be a charge for this service.
Ken: You need to bring up your idea of post-grad library access with the Polytech management. It's a great idea, and I know many, many students have asked for this in the past. At present the only way post grads can borrow from the library is as an outside borrower (there is a fee), and I think this service will end at the end of this year. Other than that, people can come and use material in the library, but not take it out.
Hope this helps and thanks again for your comments.
Sorry the links didn't appear in my previous comment. Here they are:
Cochrane http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/mrwhome/106568753/HOME
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed
Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.com/
Post a Comment
<< Home