Working Together: Brock University

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Working Together Brock Universitys New Matheson
Learning Commons

• Kevin Manuel, Liaison Librarian, Brock University

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Todays presentation

• About me
• The Matheson Learning Commons
• Online Survey
• Focus Groups
• Preliminary findings
• Upcoming analysis
• Publications

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The Researcher

• About Kevin
• BA Anthropology, MA Sociology, MLIS
• Co-op at University of Waterloo
• MLIS Independent study
• focus groups
• Liaison Librarian at
• Brock University
• CLA Library Research and Development award

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Before Renovations June 2007
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After Renovations Sept 2008
http//www.flickr.com/photos/brock_library
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Places to study
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Lots of computers
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Group work
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Partnerships
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Services
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Take a break
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The survey

• Ethics approval
• Online survey for one month
• Library homepage
• For students
• 16 questions
• Recruit sample population
• 138 responses

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Survey Results

• A) UndergraduateB) GraduateC) No reply

• A) MaleB) FemaleC) No reply

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Survey Results

• A) LectureB) ReadingC) Audio-VisualD)
  DemonstrationE) Discussion groupF) Practice by
  doingG) Sharing knowledgeH) Other

• A) Applied Health SciencesB) BusinessC)
  EducationD) HumanitiesE) Math and ScienceF)
  Social SciencesG) Other

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Survey Results

• A) StudyingB) MeetingsC) Services (research,
  writing, career)D) SocializingE) Coffee
  breaksF) Email, Facebook, etc.G) Other

• A) Individually with noiseB) Individually with
  quietC) In a group with quietD) In a group with
  noiseE) Other

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Survey Results

• A) Lounge area by coffee barB) PC
  workstationsC) Mac workstationsD) Seats by
  windowsE) Quiet area at backF) Group study
  roomsG) Computer labs

• A) Groups assigned by instructorB) Informal
  study groupsC) NoneD) Other

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Focus Groups

• Ethics approval
• 20 book store gift certificate incentive
• Refreshments
• Circle discussion
• Moderator
• Note taker
• Whiteboard

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Focus Group

• 49 signed up
• 21 attended
• 4 sessions at different days and times
• 45 minute discussions
• Icebreakers
• Informal discussion

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Focus Group themes

• What are the perceptions of students when
  comparing the previous library space to the new
  Learning Commons design?
• How are students using the combined resources
  provided in the Learning Commons?
• How are students actually using the space in the
  Learning Commons for collaborative work?
• Does the new environment promote learning,
  encourage engagement and contribute to student
  success?

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Focus Group findings

• Old library
• Not welcoming
• Not enough group study
• Needed more computers
• Services crowded
• the old Library was from the dinosaur age!

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What students liked about the LC

• Open concept
• Better lighting
• Very Organized
• Various seating arrangements
• Comfort of sofa areas
• Group study rooms
• Starbucks
• More access to reserves

• More computers
• More computer plugs
• More space for laptops
• Laptop Wall (note meaning the wall along the
  window with all the plugs)
• Informal learning environment

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Patterns of Use

• Studying
• Individual
• Group
• Combinations
• I like to study alone first and then use study
  rooms, couches or tables near the café afterwards

• Social
• Nice to unwind here after studying
• It helps being with friends to work on an
  assignment
• Im here from 7am-7pm
• Computers its more social use like Facebook

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Design of the Learning Commons

• More inviting space
• Nice and modern looking gorgeous!
• Improve acoustics
• It is nice to have options and use different
  types of spaces

• Less rigid, more informal, along with the coffee
  bar these things make the library a fun place to
  learn
• Some students spend all their breaks/time here -
  its better than going home - they can get more
  work done now

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Design

• Lighting
• Better lighting so students feel less sleepy
• I like seeing outside rather than being in the
  tower (library), its like a box
• Its not straining on the eyes. Helps keep me
  alert

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Design

• Open layout
• Easy to find people Im meeting with
• Like being able to cut through rather than walk
  outside
• Better air quality with more breathing room

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Furnishings

• Soft furnishings for more relaxed study
• Pods for group work
• Window seats for using laptops
• Quiet study area
• Booths by Starbucks
• Need for tables

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Group Study Rooms

• Some Students use rooms on a weekly basis (1-5
  times/week)
• I have to come here twenty times a semester for
  presentation work
• Convenient place for everyone to meet

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Use of Group Study Rooms

• Study individually and/or collaboratively
• Practice seminar presentations
• Midterm/final preparation
• To record a video project
• Business group projects (one student often has
  five meetings/week)
• White boards are good for studying
• Computers/LCD screen

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Computers

• Rows and rows of computers. Its easier to find
  one between classes, like the standing use only
  computers. Students really, really like this
  because of the quick turnover.
• Macs are used often there is no wait for the
  Macs
• Use computers for email/research

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Laptops

• Before, it was hard to find computer plugs but
  now they are everywhere. This makes it easier to
  be more productive because your notes are on your
  laptop
• Use laptops in the study rooms and the social
  area by Starbucks
• Use of laptops on loan from circulation

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Services

• Nice to have all the services in one place,
  especially having the photocopiers and reserves
  close together
• Self-checkout is good for keeping the line at the
  desk moving
• Enjoy having reserves and circ. in the same place
• Like the Help Desk dual monitors

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Partnerships

• It is beneficial to have all services together
  in one place
• Career Services used for a mock interview
• Career Services
• I have a friend that uses it all the time

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Starbucks

• It makes it like Chapters
• Makes the space more inviting and social
• nice during exam timedont need to pack up and
  go somewhere else
• good idea for studying later, if I can afford
  it

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Technology

• Touch screen dont have to bother library staff
• Like the print station - dont get the noise from
  it because it is boxed in
• Having the two banks of copiers makes copying so
  easy in the LC

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Possible Improvements

• More sofas and chairs
• More tables for studying
• Open earlier/later
• Improve line for circulation/reserves
• Easier photocopying

• More group rooms
• Easier access to group rooms
• Longer booking time for group rooms
• More computers
• More plug outlets

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Collaborative Work

• Can work with your group quietly and then talk
• Everyone can meet in the study rooms, everyone
  knows where it is
• Can work with your group quietly and then talk
• Convenience

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Promoting Learning

• Provides options for learning individual study,
  quiet, group study, it provides options for
  different types of study
• Enjoy the academic setting its not just social
• It does contribute to students success overall
• Its nice to know this building is for learning

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Highlights

• Id rather come here to study because it is
  bright and modern, and everything I need is
  nearby
• It encompasses everything a university should
  have I wish the rest of the library was like
  this

• I live here
• Dont know what I did without it
• There is more opportunity to do work
• The pros outweigh the cons, Im really happy
  that Brock decided to do this

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Analysis

• Examine the literature
• Compare findings
• Analyze
• Publications

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Matheson Learning Commons

• Thanks for attending!
• kmanuel_at_brocku.ca