AIA/ALA 2011 Library Building Awards

Two academic libraries are recipients of the biennial Library Building Awards from the American Institute of Architects and ALA's Library Administration and Management Association.

Ohio State University's William Oxley Thompson Library

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Library, Saudi Arabia

An interesting coincidence: Joseph Branin, Director of KAUST Library, was Director of Libraries at Ohio State U., 2000 - 2009. Branin was the subject of Library Journal's "A Day in the Life Series" in 2007 while he was overseeing the $106 million renovation of Thompson Library. (http://bit.ly/kxxVNp)

Library Learning Terrace at Drexel U.

The Chronicle of Higher Education ran a long piece last week titled "Tomorrow's Academic Libraries: Maybe Even Some Books," featuring Drexel University's Library Learning Terrace, a bookless, flexible space for study and collaborative work. The Learning Terrace, located in the midst of the residence halls on the Philadelphia campus, turns the Learning Commons concept around, putting the services and technology, if not the collections, where the students are.

Required Reading - Learning Commons Overview

It's a couple years old now, but Mark Robertson's five-page overview titled 21st Century Learning Space is a great place to start your reading if you are about to propose or develop a learning commons on your campus. Robertson is Associate University Librarian, Information Services, York University.

York opened Phase One of the Learning Commons in October, 2010 as an integrated service including support for writing, learning skills, research assistance and career services.