Assessment of the Learning Commons: Three Perspectives from CNI Spring Meeting

 “Learning Commons: What’s Working” is a 66 minute video from the Coalition for Networked Information spring meeting, April, 2010.  John Culshaw, University of Colorado, Boulder; Anu Vedantham, University of Pennsylvania, and Joan Lippincott of CNI spoke on assessment of learning or information commons.  Available on the CNI Channel on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/channels/cni)

In the Works - Seattle University

Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, currently under construction at Seattle U., will "renovate the 1960s-era library and build an adjoining high-tech learning commons to serve the university’s 7,000-plus undergraduate and graduate students."  New learning environments include an Information Commons, the Academic Support Center, and the Media Development Center. The $55 million project is partially funded by a $10 million challenge gift from the Gates Foundation.

Ohio State's Thompson Library Featured in Chronicle of Higher Education

Scott Carlson's article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, dated May 30, 2010, calls the renovation of Thompson Library at Ohio State U. "one of the most ambitious on a college campus in recent years, and certainly one of the most important library projects in some time." The library re-opened last September amid some controversy over a $109-million renovation that involved the transformation of the old stack tower into a glass-enclosed atrium and required the removal of 700,000 books to off-site storage.

Links to:

WOSU-produced 5 minute video on YouTube

Pictures from the library's website

The 2004 planning document from the OSU Libraries task force called The Learning Group. Scott Bennett, author of Libraries Designed for Learning, was consultant to the group, which saw as its goal the development of "a strongly and pervasively student-centered view of the OSU Libraries."

Opportunity knocks: Learning Commons at North Carolina State U.

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, is looking for a Director, Learning Commons Services, to lead the planning, management, and oversight of the Libraries’ technology-equipped learning spaces, ensuring continuous innovation and excellent user experience. Works closely with students and faculty to identify and meet their changing needs, focusing on both the library’s physical facilities and its online environment.

Plays a leadership role in collaborative efforts to adapt and integrate Web 2.0 technologies, mobile platforms, and other emerging tools into delivery of information and services.

For required qualifications, vacancy announcement and how to apply, go to:

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/jobs/epa/commons/commonsva.html