The UCLA Young Library has provided its students with “an
open, collaborative research commons offers 22 flexible, technology-enabled
pods in which students and faculty can utilize library resources, conduct
research and work with one another. Holding up to 10 users, each pod contains a
large LCD monitor operated by a laptop. Also part of the commons are 15 group-study
rooms, a classroom and a laptop lending desk. The research commons has been
very popular with both instructors and students, accommodating everything from
instructional sessions to office hours to project demonstrations.” (Setzer,
2012).
Also in the library, humanities course are taught to
UCLA’s students. The area is equipped with a large-screen rear-projection
system and specialized workstations. Another area is a glass enclosed reading
room that allows for quiet studying. The library's conference center has
expanded to add a spacious, technology-equipped conference room for
conferences, film screenings, and large group meetings.
Former staff workspace has been opened up to create a
spacious study commons on the lower level. The commons accommodates more than
100 users at tables and in individual chairs.
UCLA seems to have done a fantastic job of providing their
users with a space that is comfortable and allows them to work and exchange
ideas. From the descriptions given in the articles, I myself would love to go
there to study or simply to relax even. I find the use of mainly glass walls to
be interesting. So that the users may always see around the library, what is
going on, and what is available. UCLA has taken into consideration seemingly
all user expectations and a lovely place to house some of the UCLA 9 million
volumes of there collective library material.
Reference
Research library renovation. (2012, April 4). Retrieved from
http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/researchlibrary/13603.cfm
Setzer, D. (2012, February 23). Ucla young research
library renovations completed; usage levels have doubled. Retrieved from
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/research-library-renovations-completed-229453.aspx
I love that UCLA has focused on many different types of spaces in their renovations. I think this is critical for any successful renovation. People come to libraries for many different reasons. If a renovation was only interested in creating open, collaborative spaces, then some patrons seeking quiet would be left out in the cold. Libraries need to understand their user needs and plan accordingly.
ReplyDeleteWow - 10 technology pods plus 15 group study rooms. That's a huge service for the students, and suggests that the library has a lot of space. As someone commented elsewhere, research is ever more collaborative, and having places like these in the library, where you can actually stop and go pull a reference book (or access an e-resource and project it on the pod's white screen) to answer a question on the spot, rather than regrouping much later, is very nice.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fantastic that libraries are getting much-needed technology updates. Having spaces where groups can project their material up for all to see may be a simple (but expensive!) update, but it is incredibly useful versus the alternative of everyone trying to crowd around one person's laptop screen to collaborate.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as Michael pointed out, in the trend of creating elaborate collaborative spaces, it is important to keep other patrons in mind as well - those who use the library individually, and need quiet, secluded space. It sounds like UCLA did a great job in accommodating both sets of users.
Well done, Sara! What a lot of great enhancements!
ReplyDelete