Canadian Learning Commons Conference - Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 6th Canadian Learning Commons Conference, May 7 - 9, 2012 at the University of Calgary.  Donald Beagle and Margaret Mackey are the keynoters.
The pre-conference workshop, led by Melinda Scott of George Brown College, is titled "Assessing the Impact of the Commons on Learning Outcomes."

Opening reception will be at the new Taylor Family Digital Library.

In the Works - U. of Manchester, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons

Summer 2012 is the target date for the opening of the University of Manchester's Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.  It promises to be "a flexible, ultra-modern and stimulating learning space."  The Commons will be managed by John Rylands University Library.

Architect's fly-thru:

Williams College - a New Sawyer Library

July, 2014 is the target date Williams College is  working toward for the opening of a new Sawyer Library as part of a renovation and integration with Stetson Hall.  The new library will house the humanities and social sciences collections as well as a Learning Commons, the Center for Media Initiatives, a café, and the college archives. "By collocating previously dispersed collections and services, the new library will create new synergies and creative opportunities for collaboration." http://bit.ly/y53ND6

Sawyer Library (1975) to be demolished (brief history here)

New Sawyer, east elevation (July, 2014). Architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) designed the project


Animated walkthrough   


Construction site photos on Flickr


Steve Satullo's blog Eph's Libraries: Old to New traces the history of libraries at Williams, beginning with a collection of 360 books in one room of the original college building.

ALA Midwinter: Learning Commons Discussion Forum

Sunday, January 22, 2012, 4-5:30pm
Dallas Convention Center, Room D174
http://alamw12.scheduler.ala.org/node/2290

Has your library partnered with academic support services to offer a “learning commons” in the library, or are you discussing/planning such a partnership? If so, please join us for a discussion forum on “The Learning Commons and the Academic Library: Using Emerging Technologies and New Partnerships to Build Student Success.”

Carrie Donovan, Head of Teaching & Learning at Indiana University Libraries, will speak about the processes and partnerships IU is developing as they redesign their information commons. Attendees will then have the opportunity to discuss how emerging technologies can transform both spaces and services. Be prepared to share your own ideas and experiences as well as your dreams for how the creative learning commons can support the 21st century student.

Yale Opens Its First Info Commons

Yale Daily News reports today on the open house for the new information commons, officially the Center for Science and Social Science Information, located in the basement of Kline Biology Tower, a 1965 Philip Johnson building. 


Yale administrators are hoping that the CSSSI will foster more collaboration and interdisciplinary work.  An adjoining Cafe provides an informal space that will help humanize the Tower, which the Daily News reporter refers to as an "overbearing structure."


See my earlier post for details on how the library administration views the new facility.