Not exactly Trading Spaces The Wesleyan University Library Information Commons Dale T. Lee, Information Commons Coordinator Diane Klare, Head of Reference Pat Tully, Associate University Librarian Wesleyan University Library Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University Library Olin - main University Library. Humanities and social sciences; also Special Collections & Archives and Scores & Recordings Dept. Science Library, in Exley Science Building. Collections in the sciences. Art Library, in the Davison Art Center. Select collection of art books.

Info commons initiators … Barbara Jones - University Librarian since John Meerts - Head of Information Technology Services (ITS). Billy Weitzer, Senior Associate Provost and creator of SARN (Student Academic Resources Network) in 2004.

Project background Barbara, John and Billy interested in the concept of an information commons (IC). IC - ‘one-stop shopping’ for teaching, learning and research support. Architects drew up master plan for renovating Olin Library.

Olin plans Includes pilot Information Commons Also includes renovation of the rest of the Campbell Reference Center and the circulation area Plans also included a variety of group study rooms on the second and third floors. There are very few good group study spaces currently in Olin.

But … Not enough money to do a major renovation of Olin Library. Aesthetic considerations – Can’t mess up Campbell Reference! Who will pay ongoing expenses?

Pilot Information Commons Decision to renovate a small part of the Campbell Reference Center, for less money and to test the model Card catalog area targeted for renovation

Before the renovation … Money to create the pilot Information Commons? What information should staff at all desks have in common? Catalog reduced to non-retroconned collections only; moved to the other side of the Campbell Reference Center

Virtual Information Commons Virtual Commons – part of the SARN website Basic information about hours and staff FAQs about each service

The Info Commons now Pat Tully, Associate University Librarian

Components of the Commons A variety of new study spaces Additional computers, printers and a scanner Three service points: SARN Technology consultants Reference desk

SARN peer advisors provide information and referral for: Writing Programs Math Workshop Language Resource Center Life Sciences Mentored Study Groups Quantitative Analysis Center Dean's Tutoring Program Peer Advising Disability Services Services for Non-Native Speakers

And … Class Deans Career Resource Center Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI) Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) Program Pre-Law Advisor Health Professions Advising Office of International Studies

SARN desk Purpose - to refer students with questions about academic support services to the appropriate program. Insufficient space to bring all the services into Olin Library. Desk staffed by trained peer advisors and SARN program staff.

Current role of SARN in the Commons Satellite writing tutor office moved into Olin, with great success Referral desk not staffed this year; peer advisors reassigned to residence halls

Technology consultants Dale T. Lee, Information Commons Coordinator

Reporting Structure Dale supervises the technology consultant manager, who supervises the technology consultants. Dale coordinates Info Commons activities with the Head of SARN and with Diane as Head of Reference.

Coordinator’s Role Oversees Student supervisor Liaison with ITS and SARN Provides Tech Support during off-hours Maintains computer and printer supplies Collects and collates statistics

Hours of Operation Sunday: 2-10pm Monday-Thursday: 10am-10pm Friday: 10am-5pm Sunday: 2-10pm Monday-Thursday: Noon-Midnight Friday: Noon-5pm

Staffing and Training 7 Tech Consultants and 1 working student supervisor Chosen by ITS from the pool of current lab consultants

ITS Training Lab consultant survival basics Operating systems Microsoft Office and its related applications Graphics and multimedia

Technology consultants answer questions about … Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EndNote, and other software commonly used on campus Blackboard Electronic Portfolio (eportfolio) Dragon server and other parts of Wesleyan’s network Printers and other computer equipment

Library Orientation How does Wesleyan’s library protect user privacy? Library Circulation Records User Surveys or Statistics Sign-up Sheets Reference Questions Internet Use Rights of Minors USA Patriot Act

Time Management Tech consultants use ED – an application developed by ITS to manage campus lab consultants. Tracks consultants’ time Facilitates communication between labs Reminds consultants of important duties

Commons hardware 9 Windows pc’s, 3 iMacs, flatbed scanner, color laser and b&w laser printers in IC proper Support 12 additional Windows pc’s, 2 b&w laser printers and 5 kiosk-style iMacs in Campbell Reference Center (CRC) All computers imaged as lab computers Wireless coverage throughout CRC IC workstations have free data ports and power outlets

Feedback Paper feedback form in IC Most during 1 st 2 months of operation Overwhelmingly positive response Suggestions to retain some features of the old reference room Complaints about the cold! Online Survey Very few surveys filled out

Noon: Average of 12 users 2:45pm: Average of 15 users 23% use a laptop ; 9% not using computer ; 15 % use Macs ; 53% use pc’s 22% use a laptop ; 10% not using computer ; 13 % use Macs ; 55% use pc’s 5:45pm: Average of 14 users 21% use a laptop ; 10% not using computer ; 14 % use Macs ; 55% use pc’s 9:45pm: Average of 14 users 25% use a laptop ; 18% not using computer ; 13 % use Macs ; 44% use pc’s Activity Tracking

Desk transactions 595 questions to technology consultants: 587 students, 7 staff, 1 other 588 in person, 4 online, 3 phone calls 216 long visits, 379 short visits 519 questions ; 76 Referrals

What kind of questions? 337 printer 40 scanner 29 Word 16 Dragon (Wes fileserver) 9 password 4 research 1 Excel 83 Other

Reference services Diane Klare, Head of Reference

Reference Staff Design Concerns Privacy with Users Constraints Noise Appearance/Aesthetics

Reference Staff Service Concerns Service Orientation of the Tech Consultants Ability to Distinguish “Library” Questions Mirroring Hours of Service

Reference Staff Positive Outcomes Tech Consultants can distinguish “Library” questions from “tech” questions Privacy is not an issue Students like collaborative physical space Space fills up more quickly than other areas Students utilize non-wired spaces for meeting areas or using own laptops Librarians have learned new tools

Reference Staff Negative Outcomes Allows Librarians to become “lazy” re: IT issues No cohesive relationship with SARN staff Dependability of tech consultants can be an issue Proof that all computers in the same area must be configured consistently to avoid confusion Need more electricity rather than connectivity

Reference Desk Transactions Same system used to track reference questions as for technology consultant questions Possible to download raw statistics into Excel Some canned statistics and graphs also available No significant difference between Fall 2005 and Fall 2006 numbers of reference questions

Future of the Commons at Wesleyan Pat Tully, Associate University Librarian

What hasn’t worked SARN referral desk – not used FAQ on virtual commons site – not used internally; answers to basic questions quickly learned Responsibility for ongoing costs of equipment, student salaries – not yet determined

What has worked Variety of workspaces Computers and equipment; wireless Collaboration between reference librarians and technology consultants

Future of the Information Commons Evolution of present space and services based on feedback from users and staff Ethnography project underway to design optimal student study spaces Funding permitting, additional collaborative and instructional spaces will be added

Conclusion The pilot Information Commons at Wesleyan is a popular study space for students The reference librarians and technology consultants work well together and have developed a good service model The lessons learned in the pilot will be used in the design of an expanded Commons in Olin and in the Science Library