Learning Space Design and Library Facilities

In response to frequent inquiries for information about planning academic library buildings, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) have joined forces to provide a basic framework for architects, planners, and librarians embarking on planning and design of libraries for higher education.

McMaster University Libraries, one of Canada’s most innovative university libraries, is bringing together librarians, faculty, information technologists, and students in new and exciting ways. By focusing on emerging technologies, student success, and collaboration, the library is transforming from a "book warehouse" to the center for teaching and learning.

Whether initiating or advancing learning space design, efforts to bring together space, technology, and pedagogy for learner success have sufficiently matured to reveal a set of principles for engaging in the process. Through presentations, activities, and discussion, we will explore how to apply these principles and will determine a methodology for initiating, assessing, and advancing learning space design appropriate for your institutional context.

The workshop will be divided into four topics: What do I want? How do I get it? How do I support it? Does it work? For each topic, you will learn about trends and issues and explore examples from existing learning spaces. This seminar will provide you with principles and frameworks within which to understand the larger issues, as well as an opportunity to begin to apply these concepts to your home institution through a series of hands-on activities and discussions.

The information commons must adapt and evolve to become Commons 2.0, fostering student learning in new and creative ways.

"For several years now, the talk about libraries as student-oriented buildings has focused on amenities to enhance the visitor’s experience. Students want their coffee and comfy couches on which to chat with their friends during study breaks. Students want to study in groups. And students want to use their laptops, so wireless is key. "

Careful consideration of student needs and testing of several prototypes yielded a successful model for collaborative workstations in the library.

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.

ELI's Innovations & Implementations series highlights innovative teaching, learning, and technology practices in higher education. Each Innovations & Implementations piece provides a practical overview of an innovation, focusing on its significance and implementation issues. Use Innovations & Implementations to explore innovative practices that might be of value to your institution.