IT- Library Collaboration and Student Computing Support

Libraries are supporting the teaching and research missions of universities in new ways, such as providing expertise in digital curation, electronic publishing, and content development. At the University of Kansas, the Scholar Services program strengthens an evolving research environment by promoting best practices and innovation in cyberinfrastructure and digital scholarship.

The Texas Tech Library recently opened a robust, interdisciplinary 3D Animation Lab. If offers a highly innovative blend of emerging tools and resources that enable radically new endeavors in teaching, learning, research, creativity, and collaboration in an open access environment. This presentation will address what, why, and how we did it and explore what it means.

LSU's Information Commons includes assistive technology, Windows and Mac computing, and large-format printing. IT worked with library staff on the renovating the first floor of a 1957 building into a comfortable, inviting place to gather. A reference desk and two IT help desks serve customers' needs.

Online learning provides opportunities and challenges for students and institutions. The Lee College instructional designer and distance education librarian collaborated with others to provide a means of increasing student awareness and use of selected scholarly resources. Our WebCT Library Resources "course" is the result. We will discuss the building process and the results.

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.