INHERITING A NEW BUILD AND BUILDING A NEW FRAMEWORK

IT’S BUILT, WHAT CAN YOU ADD?

REALITY It’s never finished Planning from at least 10 years ago Much to learn from a few years of usage Years of concentration on physical framework, time to refresh the strategic framework Ask two different questions

1. HOW DO WE NOW DEFINE, IDENTIFY, AND CREATE NEW POLICIES AND SERVICES WITHIN THE NEW SPACES?

THIRD PLACE A sociological construct (and our new strategic framework) Attitudinal shift Cultural adjustment Not revolutionary, but Pervasive

SOME DEFINITIONS Informal public life Pub, coffeehouse, café, barbershop, church ….. In community building, the third place (or third space) is the social surroundings separate from the two usual social environments of home and the workplace. [wikipedia] Remedy for stress, loneliness, and alienation [Oldenburg, The Great Good Place, 1999]

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

CHARACTERISTICS Neutral ground Level playing field Interaction, conversation Accessible – long hours Unpretentious, playful Diverse population Loose structure

Independent Adult Student 1.Home 1. Dormitory 2. Work2. Department/classes 3. Football club3. Library

HOW DOES THIS TRANSLATE? 24/7 PILOT 2:00 CLOSING PILOT RELAXED FOOD AND DRINK RULES MACMILLAN COFFEE CAROLING DURING EXAMS FREE PHOTOBOOTH DURING EXAMS RELAXED RULES FOR STUDENT ASSOCIATION USE OF LIBRARY SPACES

WHAT ELSE COULD WE DO? Circulating laptops or tablets Free or break even printing Seat reservations Food & drink rules tossed out completely Cell phone usage not controlled Group study areas prioritized Long hours beyond exam period Free interlibrary loan Game nights ????? – let’s ask them.

WHY DOES HAVING A FRAMEWORK MATTER? Academics love to hear about a sociological construct The principal now understands what we are trying to do Consistency of message Great elevator speech Very appealing to students Presents the library as a vibrant, ever-changing, still growing service

2. HOW DO WE NOW REDEFINE, IDENTIFY, AND CREATE NEW SPACES WITHIN THE NEW BUILDING?

STUDENT LOUNGE

FEWER QUIET/SILENT STUDY ROOMS

MORE GROUP STUDY ROOMS

MOVE PRINT SHOP OUT

MOVE MICROFICHE OUT

ADD MORE COMPUTERS – AND/OR CIRCULATING LAPTOPS OR TABLETS

BETTER CONTROL OF FLOOR ACCESS

WORKING FRONT DOORS

COLOR, PLEASE

ART, PLEASE

MAKERSPACE MORE EXHIBIT SPACE SEATS (A STUDENT INITIATIVE) DEDICATED STUDENT PROGRAMMING SPACE MORE SEATING MICROWAVE/HOT WATER TAP

BEFORE MAKING THESE CHOICES/DECISIONS User Experience Design - study what students do, rather than what they say Build a program of student interaction Analyze the data we collect Stay open to new ideas Never declare it finished

WE REMAIN VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATION AND ADAPTATION.

DIANE BRUXVOORT