Creating the Creating the UbiquitousUbiquitous Information CommonsInformation Commons: :

The Duke University Library The Duke University Library ExperienceExperience

Tom Wall, AUL for Public ServicesTom Wall, AUL for Public ServicesDuke University LibrariesDuke University Libraries

tom.wall@duke.edutom.wall@duke.edu

Information Commons Information Commons Planning GuidelinesPlanning Guidelines

The Information Commons is NOT The Information Commons is NOT definabledefinable as a place as a place

The Information Commons extends to all libraries and creates a shared The Information Commons extends to all libraries and creates a shared commitment and vision for service excellencecommitment and vision for service excellence

Designed to “support the entire scholarly process, from idea formation Designed to “support the entire scholarly process, from idea formation to knowledge product”to knowledge product”

The Information Commons services and spaces are best defined by the The Information Commons services and spaces are best defined by the usersusers

Fewer programmed spaces and policies, the better (observe, listen, Fewer programmed spaces and policies, the better (observe, listen, respond)respond)

Hopes to establish libraries as “third spaces” on campusHopes to establish libraries as “third spaces” on campus

Requires some partnerships with other campus units, e.g. OITRequires some partnerships with other campus units, e.g. OIT

Information Commons TimelineInformation Commons Timeline

Perkins/Bostock provided the catalyst for IC planning and initial Perkins/Bostock provided the catalyst for IC planning and initial implementation (2001-2004; on-going)implementation (2001-2004; on-going)Spring 2002 LibQual data and follow-up focus groups affirmed desire Spring 2002 LibQual data and follow-up focus groups affirmed desire for more technology in librariesfor more technology in librariesBostock First Floor and Lower Level: first IC iteration (Fall 2005)Bostock First Floor and Lower Level: first IC iteration (Fall 2005)Collaborative OIT Staffing implemented (Spring 2006) Collaborative OIT Staffing implemented (Spring 2006) IC Concept implemented in branches (Spring 2006)IC Concept implemented in branches (Spring 2006)Re-designed Perkins First Floor opens; Chemistry Library integrates; Re-designed Perkins First Floor opens; Chemistry Library integrates; Perkins OIT Lab closes and services integrated (Fall 2006)Perkins OIT Lab closes and services integrated (Fall 2006)Multimedia Lab opens in Lilly Library (Fall 2007)Multimedia Lab opens in Lilly Library (Fall 2007)Plan to integrate other Science Libraries underway (Spring 2007)Plan to integrate other Science Libraries underway (Spring 2007)Reposition Perkins Service desks and integrate Data and GIS into main Reposition Perkins Service desks and integrate Data and GIS into main floor service program (Summer 2007)floor service program (Summer 2007)Perkins lower level Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) opens as Perkins lower level Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) opens as space with technology-enhanced classrooms, technology help desk, space with technology-enhanced classrooms, technology help desk, project rooms, multimedia lab, and open computing areas (Fall 2008)project rooms, multimedia lab, and open computing areas (Fall 2008)Vesic (Engineering, Math, Physics) integrates (Fall 2008); (BES 2009)Vesic (Engineering, Math, Physics) integrates (Fall 2008); (BES 2009)

Early ObservationsEarly ObservationsImmediate rise in usage, about 40% in all areas Immediate rise in usage, about 40% in all areas (gate count, service transactions)(gate count, service transactions)Terminals, printers, group study spaces all in Terminals, printers, group study spaces all in high demandhigh demandIM usage rose 300%, from devices in full viewIM usage rose 300%, from devices in full viewMany students brought their own computing Many students brought their own computing devices (approx. 90%)devices (approx. 90%)Students wanted seamless access to content, Students wanted seamless access to content, printing, productivity software, and assistanceprinting, productivity software, and assistanceBostock became “the place” for undergraduates Bostock became “the place” for undergraduates

External ViewsExternal Views

Carpenter Reading RoomCarpenter Reading Room

A Day in the Life of the BostockA Day in the Life of the Bostock

What We Learned and On-going ChallengesWhat We Learned and On-going Challenges

There’s no finish line, the IC service model facilitates There’s no finish line, the IC service model facilitates continual continual rethinking of how to best integrate technology, rethinking of how to best integrate technology, space, collections, and servicesspace, collections, and services

Phased decision-making works (observe, listen, respond); Phased decision-making works (observe, listen, respond);

There’s a huge difference between building in flexibility There’s a huge difference between building in flexibility and actually being flexibleand actually being flexible

Multiple service points and entrances are logistically Multiple service points and entrances are logistically challenging; staffing patterns become more complexchallenging; staffing patterns become more complex

Students do not follow set timelines or habits for using Students do not follow set timelines or habits for using the library, hence 24 hour access; librarians until 2amthe library, hence 24 hour access; librarians until 2am

Technology tools and support are equally critical (OIT Technology tools and support are equally critical (OIT Partnership)Partnership)

Librarians still matter, but with expanding roles (research Librarians still matter, but with expanding roles (research consultations, instruction, reference, technology, etc.)consultations, instruction, reference, technology, etc.)

Finding the balance between physical collections and user Finding the balance between physical collections and user space remains a critical challengespace remains a critical challenge