IT- Library Collaboration and Documents Contributed by ECAR

Several years ago, Colorado College embarked on an ambitious collaborative venture to create a new, experimental Learning Commons space in its library. The collaboration also spawned a group that provides Integrated Learning Support Services (ILSS) to the campus, benefiting faculty and students. The Learning Commons and ILSS group are serving as a test bed and a brain trust for ongoing design work for a new library. This research bulletin describes the process and product of building The Learning Commons, the successes and challenges of collaboration, and quantitative and qualitative benefits of the work for the campus community.

The use and support of specialized academic software applications can be challenging in higher education. This research bulletin explores several models of advanced application support, including dedicated centers, shared staff resources, consortia, and collaborative arrangements.

This research bulletin discusses how leaders at the University of Kansas merged the Libraries and Information Technology into an Information Services department using well-documented strategies for enabling collaboration, group decision making, and mentoring of new leaders. It describes the challenges—and successes—related to making rapid changes in organizational structure, staffing, and services while remaining engaged with users and delivering technology services that were not necessarily tied to organizational boundaries.

This research bulletin describes how a group of individuals at the University of Kansas worked to design and implement a collaborative learning environment for students, based on theoretical and empirical research along with basic common sense. It discusses the many lessons learned throughout the process and provides recommendations for institutions that are about to embark on a similar voyage.

Presentation at the November 2004 ECAR Symposium. The University of Kansas presents the results of its project to integrate IT and library functions with the goal of focusing on student success.

Integrating information literacy into the academic curriculum requires the participation of technology specialists, faculty, librarians, and administrators. This research bulletin describes the integral part each of these professionals plays in helping learners take advantage of the electronic tools used in today's higher education environment.