Information Commons and Learning Commons Site Visits
Overview Perkins Library and its seven branches comprise the main undergraduate and graduate libraries at Duke. Separately administered libraries serve the Business, Divinity, Law, and Medical Schools. Perkins Library was built in three stages - 1928, 1948, and 1968. In 2000 they began planning for its next phase and construction began in 2003. An overview of the " Perkins Project" can be found at http://library.duke.edu/about/perkinsproject/overview.html. In October 2005, Bostock Library and von der Heyden Pavillion were opened with grand reading rooms and technologically rich spaces for research and scholarly production. In Fall 2006, the newly renovated first floor of the Perkins Library was opened. It serves as the Library's central Information Commons area and is the focal point for the Library's public service and instructional activities. Duke sees their Information Commons as a concept to be infused throughout the Libraries, not as a separate facility or space.
Description of Services and Facilities Just outside of the entrance to the Library, in a spacious vestibule area is a fabulous coffee shop infused with light and comfortable seating. As can be seen from the photos below, this is a very popular area for students and faculty to congregate and meet informally or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while reading in this wonderful space.
The library entrance welcomes you with a small reading area for New and Noteworthy books, the circulation desk is to your left and there are a few computers along the wall (with a printer attached) for quick access to email and the Internet. These quick look-up computer stations are located at various quick access locations throughout Perkins and Bostock Libraries. As you proceed into the first floor, built in cherry bookcase shelves and free standing 3/4 height shelves house the Library's main reference collection. In the center of this public service area is the main reference desk and placed throughout the floor are computer work areas of varying sizes and shapes. As you proceed toward the back of the first floor, there is table seating with ports for laptops.
The Reference Desk is centrally located on this floor and visible from almost all of the Information Commons workstations. It's forward facing side is counter height and has room for two staff members. There is an open center area that has two tables with computers set up for research consultations. Although these tables have been specifically designed for librarian-student research consultations, they are often used by students studying in the library. Students seem to enjoy working on a table near the librarian in a space that allows them to spread out their materials. This is not a problem, since they also have a room for consultations in a suite of offices directly behind the reference desk area. The back section of the reference desk serves as a work table for stapling, paper cutting, etc.
Five Group Study rooms are found on the perimeter of the first floor. They are available on a first come, first serve basis. Many are equipped with a Creston control panel and shared display monitor. More group study rooms are planned in the next phases of this renovation project. Display monitors placed near the entrances of the libraries keep students up to date about upcoming events and other announcements.
The concept of the Information Commons is infused throughout the first floor and continues over into the Bostock Libary. To get to Bostock, students pass through a small exterior atrium area. One side of Bostock is a technology rich environment supported with a central Help Desk while the other side offers some of the most beautiful seating areas within the two library complex. Bostock Library offers a higher level of computing -- having both production software and specialized software available to its users. Bostock is also home to the libraries' microfilm collections.
The Lower Level of Bostock also houses an additional Information Commons Area with several scanners. Adjacent to this area is a Classroom used for Library Instruction. This lower level is also home to the Center for Instructional Technology which offers grants and support to faculty who want to use technology in their teaching.
In planning for the Information Commons, the IC Steering Committee first did a pilot program with built-in assessment. During the Pilot, users were asked to check off what software and hardware they were using and what they would like to see in the future. As they move forward in their new spaces, they see that needs are constantly evolving. The next phase of their renovation will involve the addition of a Teaching and Learning Center on the lower level of Perkins and necessitate moving Technical Services operations to an off-site location. The new TLC will have classrooms, group study rooms, a service desk and will be tightly integrated with academic classroom support. Throughout the Perkins Renovation Project their goal has been to "support the university's mission and the individual needs of faculty members and students." Impact on Collections In addition to renovating the Perkins Library, Duke Libraries have also been converting their collection from the Dewey Classification System to LC Classification. Four million volumes needed to be converted to LC. They have a large off-site storage facility about ten miles away. A shuttle goes back and forth between the storage facility and the library to retrieve requested books. To make room for additional collaborative work spaces and a Teaching and Learning Center, Duke has decided to move their Technical Services Department to an off-site location. An old tobacco warehouse is being renovated to house about 60-70 technical service staff members or approximately 40% of the total library staff. Lessons Learned
Observations Informing Best Practices
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