NERCOMP EVENT
Uncommon Commons
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The term Information or Learning Commons has been used to describe a wave of integrated service environments cropping up in libraries around the globe. These collaborative learning spaces are a place where information seekers have ready access to services and resources. Each institution seems to have its own special interpretation or spin on what a “commons” is or does. For some libraries the ideas and concepts surrounding the “commons” translate into something unique, unusual… uncommon.
In this session we will showcase examples of creative use of existing space, staff, and resources in the implementation of a "commons" environment. Models of smaller, informal, inexpensive common spaces in libraries and other information service environments will also be highlighted.
Workshop Organizer/Host: Beatrice Pulliam of Providence College and Lisa Wiecki of Brandeis University
Date/Time:
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
9:00am - 3:00pm
Registration begins at 8:00am
Location:
Four Points Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA
Special instructions:
Pricing:
NERCOMP Members: $93
Non-Members: $193
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Additional Information
Event Schedule:
8:00am - 9:00am Registration & Coffee
9:00am – 9:30am The Uncommon Commons
Speaker: D. Russell Bailey, Phillips Memorial Library Director, Providence College
The term commons has been used in library, information and technology parlance since before 1990: the Information – Learning – Knowledge - Research - Library – Creative – Patent Commons. Most uses of these terms refer to some combination of the continuum of high-touch high-tech patron services. Most Commons’ are focused intensely on patron needs, however defined, and housed in, or proximous to, a library. Some are new facilities, well-planned and financed, elaborately implemented, and well-resourced. Some, at the other end of the spectrum, are more concept than physical reality, but still provide, however minimally or incrementally, some of the same continuum of resources focused on patron needs.
This presentation seeks to explicate the constituent Commons spirit as it arises, however minimal, incremental, unique and uncommon.
9:30am – 10:30am Two Rooms and a Concept
Speaker: Elizabeth Tilley, Librarian, Earth Sciences Library, University of Cambridge, UK
Providing a collaborative learning space with appropriate services and resources for our undergraduate clientele, but with just two physical rooms, a limited budget and the commons concept to guide our decisions, was challenging. The context and mission of the Library within the University were important considerations and the theoretical and practical drivers for change as they relate to our goals and aims will be examined. Creativity in the use of space and clear, focused project management were also key factors in creating a successful Commons environment. The results of the changes made, and an assessment and evaluation of the project will be presented.
10:30am – 10:45am Break
10:45am – 11:45am Finding Common Ground at Plymouth State University
Speakers:
Elaine S. Allard, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Library Technology & Access Services, Plymouth State University
Jo-Ann M. Guilmett, Lamson Learning Commons & Helpdesk Mgr., Plymouth State University
Fall 2006 saw the opening of the Learning Commons at Lamson Library at Plymouth State University. Almost immediately, gates counts jumped and the once traditional library was abuzz with activity. By doing a minor remodel of the 10-year old library structure and utilizing existing staff, a dynamic partnership was created.
Our presentation will cover the 16 month-long project that saw a unique marriage between two key departments, the Library and Information Technology Services, with additional collaboration of other student services areas. Come and see how PSU, was able to build on current trends in Libraries, Technology and Higher Education and make our Commons uniquely Plymouth.
11:45am – 12:45pm Lunch (included)
12:45pm – 1:45pm Not Exactly Trading Spaces’: The Wesleyan University Information Commons
Speakers:
Diane Klare, Head of Reference, Wesleyan University
Dale Lee, Information Services Technician/Information Commons Coordinator
Wesleyan University
Pat Tully, Associate University Librarian, Wesleyan University
In September 2005, Wesleyan University Library, Information Technology Services, and the Student Academic Resources Network (SARN), an umbrella organization for a variety of services, premiered a prototype Information Commons in Olin Library. Technology assistance, traditional reference, writing tutors and information about academic support services are now in one place, providing one-stop shopping for students. Workstations in the Commons facilitate group and individual work, with or without technology, while fitting aesthetically into a grand space combining traditional and modern elements. Some features of the Commons have been immediately successful, while others are changing to increase usage. Reference staff and student technology consultants work well together and group study is common, but the SARN peer advisors have had to do continual outreach to publicize hidden services. Although envisioned as a prototype group instruction area, faculty has yet to use the Commons as such. The uniqueness of Wesleyan’s information commons, in some ways a virtual commons has created this need for ongoing changes and discussions between departments to clarify budget and management issues. The lessons learned will be applied to plans for an expansion of the Commons.
1:45pm – 3:00pm Wrap-up Discussion
3:00pm End
Speaker:
Elaine Allard
Elaine Allard received her Bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State College and her Master’s in Library and Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island. She has had several roles during her time at Lamson Library – Cataloging, Systems, Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan, E-Reserves, and most recently, Co-Manager of the Learning Commons Project. Elaine also coordinates and teaches in the Plymouth State University Graduate program in Library Media Studies. She has recently rediscovered her love of golf.
Speaker:
D. Russell Bailey
Dr. D. Russell Bailey is currently Library Director at Providence College. He formerly served as Associate University Librarian for Information Commons, University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Dr. Bailey is a contributing author to The Information Commons Handbook (October, 2006). He is also co-author of the forthcoming Information Commons Case Studies (2007). He co-authored (with Barbara Tierney) “Information Commons Redux…”, JAL, 2003. He was contributing author to Multicultural Resources on the Internet, Libraries Unlimited, 1999, and author of “U.S. Influences on Korean Education…”Fulbright Occasional Papers, 1996. Dr. Bailey served as convener & moderator of Information Commons and Learning Commons panels and workshops for ACRL/ALA 2003-2006, and was a keynote speaker at INFORUM 2005, Prague, The Czech Republic. Dr Bailey received his Ph.D. in German Studies with a Minor in Library Science (1981, LSU), an M.Ed. in Gifted Education (1987, LSU), an MA LIS in Academic Librarianship (1995, USF). He received research grants for Heidelberg, Germany (1970), and Graz, Austria (1978), Fulbright research grants for Korea (1990) and Japan (1994), and is the composer and artist of two recorded musical ballad collections: Tossed Ballads (1984) and 2nd Chants (1988).
Speaker:
JoAnn Guilmett
JoAnn Guilmett received her Bachelor’s degree from Granite State College in Medieval Studies and is currently working on her M.Ed. with a focus on Library Media Studies. She has worked in several areas within the Information Technology Services group at PSU, currently in the position of Manager of the Learning Commons and the ITS Helpdesk. In order to integrate the traditional Library and ITS support roles, JoAnn reports directly to both CIO and the Library Director. An avid reader, JoAnn is finding the Library to be a well-situated work environment!
Speaker:
Diane Klare
Diane Klare was promoted to head of reference at Wesleyan University Library in June 2006 after having previously served at Wesleyan as Science Reference Librarian since 2002. She has been actively involved in determining and then refining the services offered in the information commons, as well as in addressing other space issues within the libraries across campus. Diane is the current president of the Connecticut Valley Chapter of SLA and is also active in the New England Library Instruction Group. Prior to earning her MLS and coming to Wesleyan in 2002, she was a senior financial analyst for more years than she cares to remember at what is now Bank of America Business Capital.
Speaker:
Dale Lee
Dale Lee, in his nearly thirty years of service at Wesleyan University Library, has worked in the Government Documents Office, the Interlibrary Loan Office and the Cataloguing Department. In 1993, with the adoption of the Sirsi Library System (since replaced by Voyager) at Wesleyan, he assumed the title of Information Services Technician and has since provided technical support and assistance for library computing. In 2005 he also took on the responsibilities of Information Commons Coordinator.
Speaker:
Elizabeth Tilley
Elizabeth Tilley, currently Librarian and subject specialist at the Earth Sciences Department, University of Cambridge, UK, has been working in academic libraries for over ten years. Her career prior to this as a teacher left her with a continuing passionate interest in education and information literacy which informs much of her librarianship. Within the University she represents the Physical Sciences Department libraries as well as contributing to a number of other organizing committees. She assisted in training all Librarians in the University for the Implementation of Endeavor’s Voyager Library Management System in 2002.
A member of the Chartered Institute of Information and Library Professionals, with a Masters in Librarianship and having achieved Chartered status, Elizabeth contributes at national level in conferences, both as speaker and organizer. She is a member of the Education Librarians Group and is editor of their Newsletter. Internationally, she is a member of the Geography and Map Libraries Standing Committee as UK representative for IFLA. She was a subject specialist editor of Earth Sciences resources for The New Walford : Guide to Reference Resources, Vol. 1 Science, technology, medicine, (2005), has written a number of short articles, and most recently co-authored a paper on re-designing a website to improve information literacy.
Speaker:
Pat Tully
Pat Tully has been an Associate University Librarian at Wesleyan since August 2004, after a long career in technical services at Harvard University, Gettysburg College, and the University of the Virgin Islands. She started at Wesleyan just as planning began for the Information Commons, and worked closely with librarians, Information Technology Services, student academic resources staff and others to coordinate the development of the Commons. Pat is active in ALA, serving on the ALCTS Program Committee since 2004 and on the LAMA Cultural Diversity Grant Committee formed in 2006.
Related Media Files:
http://64.3.162.168/media/UncommonCommons-6-5-07.ppt
http://64.3.162.168/media/DRBailey IC toLC - Definitions.doc
http://64.3.162.168/media/Two rooms and a concept.ppt
http://64.3.162.168/media/NERCOMP presentation 06 05 07 handout.ppt
http://64.3.162.168/media/Plymouth State - Uncommon Commons.pdf
Contact Information:
Lisa DiMauro
860-345-2081
ldimauro@wesleyan.edu
Hotel Information:
Rooms are available at the Sheration Norwood, the conference location, for $135 per night, single occupancy and $155 per night, double occupancy.
To make reservations contact the Sheraton Norwood at 781-769-7900 and request the "NERCOMP Room Block".
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