Learning Commons News
Over the next several years the Humboldt State University Library will be working with other academic support units to implement a Learning Commons in the Library building. The Commons will ultimately provide a centralized service point for many of the campus resources that help facilitate student learning. The Learning Commons will offer a flexible and welcoming setting where students, faculty, and staff can carry out their academic pursuits, including:
- Accessing electronic and print information resources;
- Engaging in quiet individual study;
- Convening in study groups;
- Conducting independent research;
- Getting expert assistance with assignments, projects, and presentations;
- Receiving technical support for personal computing, web development, multimedia, and networking applications; and
- Getting customized assistance in the use of academic instructional tools.
Learning Commons Committee Created
Last year the University established an ad hoc Learning Commons Committee, with representation from across campus, to help guide this effort. On April 27, 2007, that group convened an open forum during which members of the University community discussed and prioritized prospective components for the Learning Commons. Then, on September 28, 2007, the University hosted a visit by Joan Lippincott, Associate Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) and Learning Commons expert. During her visit, Dr. Lippincott provided consultation and advice to the HSU Learning Commons planners. See http://www.humboldt.edu/~cdc/learningcommons/ for more information about these developments.
Library Learning Commons Implementation Begins
Due to the nature of State and University funding cycles, and the fact that other pending campus building projects are already in the queue (including a seismic retrofit for the Library building), construction of the full Learning Commons is not expected to begin until 2010/2011. Despite this lengthy timeline, interim Library Dean Ray Wang has mandated that the Library begin making incremental changes to the facility now. In fall 2007, Dr. Wang created a Library Learning Commons Task Force to oversee these changes, which this year are being aided by special one-time funding.
Changes Recently Completed
During the spring 2008 semester, the Library made several changes in the Learning Commons area in the south wing of the first floor, including:
- Installing 24 new computers with open internet access and the full Microsoft Office 2007 suite of applications. These new machines are reserved for use by the University community and require a campus log-in;
- Relocating the Library Reference Desk to a more central location within the Learning Commons area to better assist Library users;
- Removing eight ranges of shelving to make way for the installation of additional study tables and seating;
- Replacing two index table clusters, which previously held reference materials, with two 4 ft. by 12 ft. tables for individual and group study;and
- Relocating additional tables, chairs, and couches from other areas of the Library and creating multiple clusters of furniture for individual and group study.
Plans Currently Underway
In addition to the changes which have already been completed, the Library Learning Commons Task Force is currently working with the campus Facilities Planning Division and others to consider plans to:
- Relocate the Food Friendly Area from its current location in the southeast corner of the first floor to the lobby area to the west of the Circulation Desk;
- Install diner-style booth seating, with electrical outlets for user devices, in the Food Friendly Area;
- Install additional tables and chairs in the Food Friendly Area;
- Install a hot beverage vending machine in the Food Friendly Area, in collaboration with the University Center;
- Convert current faculty offices on the first floor the Library to enclosed study space, equipped as smart classrooms, which would be available for students to study in groups or individually, work on and practice multimedia presentations, etc.; and
- Establish a satellite service point in the Learning Commons area, which would be staffed on a scheduled, rotational basis by campus partners from outside of the Library, for example, the Academic Information and Referral Center (AIR) and the Advising Center.
This page will be updated periodically as we make progress on the Library Learning Commons implementation.