12 Keys to Library Design

Thomas Sens, architect with BHDP Architects in Cincinnati, has developed a succinct and useful checklist for planning and designing academic libraries. There are two versions of it. A short version appeared in Library Journal in May, 2009, and a longer one in Building Design + Construction in December, 2009.

1. Envision the library as place.

2. Invite students and other stakeholders to the table.

3.Make collaboration a must.

4. See that technology drives the bus.

5. Plan for change.

6. Use the library to attract and retain top students.

7. Optimize spaces between spaces.

8. Consolidate emerging specialty spaces.

9. Take advantage of the commons.

10. Rethink library programming.

11. Design for environmental sustainability.

12. Get creative with funding.

Lest We Take Ourselves Too Seriously

The mostly lol blog A Librarian's Guide to Etiquette has advice for would-be Information Commoners on a tight budget: "Do it on the cheap by renaming your existing computer lab with a hand-scrawled "Information Commons" sign."

Collaborative Learning Commons - UNC - Asheville

U. of North Carolina is especially rich with innovative takes on the commons concept. Latest is UNC - Asheville's Collaborative Learning Commons:

"The Collaborative Learning Commons (CLC), currently being developed at UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library, brings together a variety of elements to foster student exploration and inquiry in new and creative ways. It is not a static computer lab. Rather, it incorporates the freedom of wireless communication, flexible workspace clusters that promote interaction and collaboration, and comfortable furnishings, art, and design to make users feel relaxed, encourage creativity, and support peer-learning. To this, add some specialized software, audio-video capabilities, self-help graphics services, color imaging, and production/presentation software catered to student learning and needs and it becomes a one-stop collaboratory for out-of-class assignments, writing, research, and group projects."

...and Beyond: U. of Nevada - Reno's Knowledge Center

Who hasn't felt that the phrase "information commons" has worn out its welcome?

University of Nevada - Reno throws another hat in the ring: "Knowledge Center." And it's not just a part of the library, the Knowledge Center is the main university library.

U. of North Carolina -Wilmington has posted a website for its Learning Commons, now under construction in Randall Library.

Planning and Assessment - The Commons at Georgia Tech

The good folks at Georgia Tech have posted a very useful set of documents on planning and assessment: focus groups, questionnaires, a case study by Herman Miller, and fascinating essay by freshman Erica Hocking on the the Commons as a "Sacred Space" for learning.

Google Books Settlement

ALA's Washington office links to briefs, statements and summaries.

New York Review of Books published several articles by Robert Darnton:

Google and the New Digital Future (12/17/09)

Google and the Future of Books (2/12/09)

The Library in the New Age (6/12/08)

And Peter Murray's blog Disruptive Library Technology Jester keeps tabs on all the key documents and decisions.