Collaborative learning space and new roles for librarian & staff

1. Collaborative learning space and new roles for librarian & staff Reinventing the library and forming new partnerships when engineers are not the only users Mary Strife, WVU Evansdale Library Mary.Strife@mail.wvu.edu 304 293 9756

2. Some history • Building built in late 70’s. Open in 1980. Built to allow addition of a third floor---confirmed by engineers in Spring 2008. • Renovation from 1999-2001. Electronic classroom upgraded in Feb 2006. • A very supportive Provost for the last ten years. Additional budget funds, new addition to Wise Library, student fee, grant overhead for the first time.

3. Librarians and faculty • In 1980, the Evansdale Library brought together Engineering , Agriculture, Forestry, Consumer Sciences, Art, Theatre, Human Resources & Education. Physical Education soon followed. In May 2002, the Music Library was integrated into the library, uniting all creative arts divisions. • Librarians have developed excellent connections to faculty for both instruction and collection enhancement.

4. Master Key Value-Add Machine Epson Scanner Digital Film Viewer Patent copier Typewriters Current Periodicals Minolta microform copiers Photocopiers Microfilm Patents Back Stairs Microfiche Indexes Computers Patent Microfilm Microfiche Patent Cassettes, DVD’s, & CD-Rom’s Patent computers Reference Indexes Leisure Reading Computer Elevator Reference Rest Rooms Adaptive Technology Reference Express Print Printer Desk MountainLynx Computer Digital Sender 1 Digital Sender 2 Color Printer Pharos Printers Digital Projects Area Z’s N’s Plasma TV Main Floor Computers Electronic Classroom Rm. 130 Plays Classroom Use Only A’s Current Periodicals 3M Self Check Front Stairs Circulation Desk WVU ID Look-up Front Entrance Snack Room Main Floor, Evansdale Library (8/2005-4/14/2008, DeVor, Roth)

5. Journey begins in Summer 2006 • Provost agrees to replace worn carpet on first floor. • Conversion to electronic-only journals allows removal of shelving for current items. • WVLA program by Ohio University & Georgia Tech about their commons. (Fall 2006) • Evansdale Library folks visit Ohio University’s Information Commons. (Spring 2007) • Opportunity to take space currently occupied by Academic Information Services. (Fall 2007) • Carpet put on hold so we can propose redesign of first floor, with a café.

6. In the meantime…… • Work with Chair, Interior Design division. • Do a preliminary student survey. • Select questions and set up focus groups, with Interior Design Chair as facilitator. • Edit questions and make available on Evansdale Library computers only. • Remove all indexes from first floor so shelving can be removed. • Begin process (again) with campus interior designer.

7. Unexpected events and consequences • New president appointed spring 2007. Takes over officially in September although on campus end of April. • A high profile event which culminated in the Provost stepping down as of June 30. • Understanding that the libraries would lose their strongest supporters on the building planning committee. • Money set aside for our re-design but need to show progress toward completion.

8. Quick survey April/May 2008 • Abbreviated questions: 1. How would you like the interior to look? 2. What kind of technologies would you like? 3. What is your overall feeling for Evandale Library? 4. Do you have further comments or suggestions about how we can improve the library environment?

9. Available space/interior suggestions • Need coffee shop (like DCL and HSL). • More individual space. • More circular tables w/five chairs for study. groups. More group space and study rooms. • Better lighting, deeper color. • More comfortable seating. • More social areas. • Better cubical spacing for privacy. • Change the carpets. • Library fine as it is.

10. Technologies suggestions • More headphones on desktops. • CADD installed for fashion majors since it is nowhere else on campus. • More desktop and laptop computers. • Ipods, MP3 players. • Matlab, Autocad, Java Compiler. • Photoshop. • Modern audio visual set. • Projectors in study rooms. • Wireless connection just outside the library.

11. Overall feeling about the building • Good study atmosphere • Kind of blah • Better than the DCL • Feels like home • A bit cold • Prefer downtown because there is more space between students • Needs a café • Spacious with lots of material • Workers are nicer than DCL • Not as crowded as DCL • Good book/mag selection • Better than DCL for studying and parking • Happy with plants • Need more artwork • Better use of underused areas • Need change available after midnight • Quiet place to study • Adequate social space and study rooms • Need remodeling on ground floor • Don’t know since I don’t study here

12. Comments and suggestions section • Study tables outside during nice weather • Better interior • Café or cafeteria • Move items from Mircoforms room and put in more computers • WVU ID card reader in vending area • Better adherence to cell phone policy • Small study room with comfortable seating, table and white board • Better colors

13. Where do we go from here? • Professor Cindy Beacham, Chair, Interior Design Division will conduct one or more focus groups from July-September • Meeting with campus interior design on July 23 • Get carpet for all of first floor by end of year, putting tile in expected café area • Negotiate with Facilities Management for patio in front of building • Get finished design board for first floor. Come up with plan from AIS space on ground floor.