Information Commons: What’s the Ideal? Pamela H. Jureller and Inga H. Barnello Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY Information Feud!

DEMOGRAPHICS Where do you work on campus? 1.Library 2.IT/Computer Center 3.Media Services 4.Other

DEMOGRAPHICS What is the size of your institution? 1.Small-medium college (enroll <7,500 FTE) 2.Large college (enroll 7,501-10,000 FTE) 3.University (enroll >10,001 FTE)

DEMOGRAPHICS Type funding institution? 1.Private 2.Public

DEMOGRAPHICS Type of institution? 1.2-year 2.4-year

1. Welcoming, informal atmosphere 2.Natural lighting 3.Café 4.Web links and virtual displays to connect in-person events 5.Lively colors 6.Interesting patterns and textures 7.Art displays 8.Spaces for films 9.Other Feng shui, anyone? What aesthetic aspects make the information commons space welcoming?

Information Feud! Feng shui, anyone? What aesthetic aspects make the information commons space welcoming? 1. Welcoming, informal atmosphere 97.0% 2. Natural lighting 92.9% 3. Café 91.9% 4. Web links and virtual displays to connect in-person events 87.9% 5. Lively colors 84.9% 6. Interesting patterns and textures 83.8% 6. Art displays 83.8% 7. Spaces for films 79.8% 8. Other 16.2%

1.Define services to offer 2.Determine staff needs 3.Define and gain financial resources 4.Develop floor plan 5.Conduct a needs assessment 6.Develop strategic goals 7.Determine appropriate partners 8.Determine location 9.Develop a vision statement related to learning 10.Design an assessment plan “To be, or not to be.” What are the key elements in planning an information commons?

“To be, or not to be.” What are the key elements in planning an information commons? Information Feud! 1. Define services to offer 95.7% 1. Determine staff needs 95.7% 2. Define and gain financial resources 94.2% 3. Develop floor plan 92.8% 3. Conduct a needs assessment 92.8% 4. Develop strategic goals 91.3% 4. Determine appropriate partners 91.3% 4. Determine location 91.3% 5. Develop a vision statement related to learning 88.4% 6. Design an assessment plan 85.5% 7. Other 5.8%

1.Work collaboratively on class project (on site or virtually 2.Write class papers 3.First stop for research needs 4.Develop presentations 5.Hold impromptu meeting 6. friends, professors, others 7.Manipulate data 8.Multitasking 9.Other “Whatcha doin’?” What is the most common activity in the information commons?

“Whatcha doin’?” What is the most common activity in the information commons? Information Feud! 1. Work collaboratively on class project (on site or virtually) 95.5% 2. Write class papers 92.4% 2. First stop for research needs 92.4% 3. Develop presentations 89.4% 4. Hold impromptu meeting 87.9% 5. friends, professors, others 86.4% 6. Manipulate data 84.9% 6. Multitasking 84.9% 7. Other 7.6%

1.Information commons web page 2.Staff collaboration with student focus groups 3.Computer default screens 4.Colorful banners 5.Exhibit student products developed as a result of the work in the info commons 6.Display digital resources on large screens 7.Mouse pads 8.Other “Attention Kmart Shoppers!” What is the best way to promote the information commons?

“Attention Kmart Shoppers!” What is the best way to promote the information commons? Information Feud! 1. Information commons web page 88.1% 2. Staff collaboration with student focus groups 84. 8% 3. Computer default screens 81.4% 4. Colorful banners 78.0% 4. Exhibit student products developed as a result of the work in the info commons 78.0% 5. Display digital resources on large screens 72.9% 6. Mouse pads 71.2% 7. Other 32.2%

1.Text messaging 2.Chat via Meebo or other application 3. 4.VOIP (voice over internet protocol) 5.MMOG/virtual worlds e.g. Second Life 6.Other “Comin’ down the pike” What will be the most used software application in 3 years for information services and learning?

“Comin’ down the pike” What will be the most used software application in 3 years for information services and learning? Information Feud! 1. Text messaging 87.7% 1. Chat via Meebo or other application 87.7% % 3. VOIP (voice over internet protocol) 79.0% 3. MMOG/virtual worlds e.g. Second Life 79.0% 4. Other 19.3%

1.Library 2.Student center 3.Classroom/Academic building 4.No matter where, they will come 5.Other “If you build it, they will come.” Where should an information commons be located?

“If you build it, they will come.” Where should an information commons be located? Information Feud! 1. Library 98.4% 2. Student center 85.5% 3. Classroom/Academic building 79.4% 4. No matter where, they will come – please explain why 31.8% 5. Other 3.2%

1.Individuals or departments are territorial of their particular area, service, or level of service 2.Failure to make effective referrals 3.Inadequate knowledge of new technology 4.Specialization of staff in particular skills or subject 5.Librarians answering technical questions 6.Technical staff answering reference questions 7.No one can possibly know everything 8.Other “There’s no “I” in T-E-A-M.” Staffing challenges: What is the most challenging aspect of staffing an information or learning commons?

“There’s no “I” in T-E-A-M.” Staffing challenges: What is the most challenging aspect of staffing an information or learning commons? Information Feud! 1. Individuals or departments are territorial of their particular area, service, or level of service 88.7% 2. Failure to make effective referrals 82.3% 2. Inadequate knowledge of new technology 82.3% 2. Specialization of staff in particular skills or subject 82.3% 3. Librarians answering technical questions 80.7% 3. Technical staff answering reference questions 80.7%

1.Finances/funding 2.Lack of collaboration among campus units 3.Lack of teamwork among staff 4.Finding a location for the commons 5.Hours of operation 6.IT staff 7.Librarians 8.Other “What seems to be the problem?” What is the biggest obstacle to starting up an information commons?

“What seems to be the problem?” What is the biggest obstacle to starting up an information commons? Information Feud! 1. Finances/funding 95.2% 2. Lack of collaboration among campus units 82.3% 3. Lack of teamwork among staff 77.4% 3. Finding a location for the commons 77.4% 4. Hours of operation 75.8% 5. IT staff 72.6% 6. Librarians 67.7% 7. Other 6.5

1.Soft, comfortable seating 2.Furniture with wheels for easy mobility 3.Modular furniture 4.Fixed individual workstations 5.Portable whiteboards 6.Bean bag chairs for informal setting 7.Other “Take a load off.” Which furniture works best (or should be included)?

“Take a load off.” Which furniture works best (or should be included)? Information Feud! 1. Soft, comfortable seating 87.1% 2. Furniture with wheels for easy mobility 85.5% 3. Modular furniture 82.3% 4. Fixed individual workstations 74.2% 4. Portable whiteboards 74.2% 5. Bean bag chairs for informal setting 62.9% 6. Other 12.9

1.Consistent training and education of staff and patrons 2.Cross-training of staff 3.Use peers as staff to which students are more likely 4.Offer service more hours than previously offered by using students 5.Use student workers from all participating campus units 6.Other “Look, Ma, no hands!” What are the means to successful service?

“Look, Ma, no hands!” What are the means to successful service? Information Feud! 1. Consistent training and education of staff and patrons 95.1% 2. Cross-training of staff 91.8% 3. Use peers as staff to which students are more likely 82.0% 4. Offer service more hours than previously offered by using students 80.3% 5. Use student workers from all participating campus units 73.8% 6. Other 8.2%

The “ideal,” top responses are …. !

The Ideal Info Commons: Top Online Survey Responses 1AestheticsWelcoming, informal atmosphere 2Key elements in planningDefine services to offer/Determine staff needs 3Most common activityWork collaboratively on class project 4Promote byInformation commons web page 5Most used in 3 yrsText messaging/Chat via Meebo or other application (Tie) 6LocationLibrary 7Staffing challengesIndividuals or departments are territorial 8Biggest obstacleFinances/funding 9FurnitureSoft, comfortable seating 10Key to successful serviceConsistent training and education of staff and patrons

The Ideals : Compared Conference Top Response Survey Top Response 1 Aesthetics Welcoming, informal atmosphere 2 Key elements in planning Define services to offer/Determine staff needs 3 Most common activity Work collaboratively on class project 4 Promote by Information commons web page 5 Most used 3 yrs from now Text messaging/Chat via Meebo or other application (Tie) 6 Location Library 7 Staffing challenges Individuals or departments are territorial 8 Biggest obstacle Finances/funding 9 Furniture Soft, comfortable seating 10 Key to success Consistent training and education of staff and patrons