an Information Commons for Graduate Social Science Students Digital Social Science Center: an Information Commons for Graduate Social Science Students Mary Giunta Head, Access Services & Technical Support, Lehman Library Jane Winland Director, Social Science Libraries Space 2.0: Small-Scale Library Redesign Projects October 3, 2008 Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries

2 Information Commons at Columbia University Libraries University Librarian’s vision - information commons for: –Social Sciences –History & Humanities –Sciences & Engineering

3 Planning for the Digital Social Science Center Location Project plan Assessment Equipment Services & staffing Program planning

4 Location East Reading Room over 5000 square feet Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) lab in this space already Electronic Data Service directly below with a connecting staircase Reference offices adjacent Good lighting

5

6 EDS and CUIT Lab

7 Electronic Data Service Supports instruction and research that involve numeric and geo-spatial data resources. Staff to provide support in the use of data with statistical and GIS applications Service staffed by library staff and CUIT staff High-end computers for processing large data sets Equipment supplied and maintained by CUIT

8 Electronic Data Service Joint venture between Libraries and CUIT EDS model for DSSC –Staffing / service –Equipment –Software

9 Project Plan Program team assembled Included various stakeholders –Libraries –CUIT Finalize physical, equipment & staffing designs

10 Assessment Student survey Focus groups Faculty interviews Lehman reference staff discussion

11 Assessment: what we learned More group study space Scanning & printing are important Presentation practice space Quantitative data analysis software Bibliographic software

12 Assessment: what we learned Need to market our services better Faculty not expecting students to use very sophisticated technology for assignments Students go to peers and faculty for research & technology help before librarians

13 Assessment: how we applied results Added presentation practice rooms Added more scanners Will moved color printer into CUIT / DSSC space Decided to place the information / reference desk in the consultation room LCD panels with group study tables in DSSC Developing marketing strategies

14 DSSC Objectives Flexible workspaces, furnishings, diverse software, and high-end equipment to support collaborative group study and research in the Social Sciences Visible and easy access to professional staff who can assist users with research and technical support questions Space, equipment, and software to support presentation practice Integrate DSSC into the services and equipment now offered by Electronic Data Service and CUIT lab.

15 Cost Estimates & Budgets Renovation –Construction –Furniture Equipment Staff

16 Floor Plan - Body Lawson Architects

17 Renovation Moved Government Documents & microfilm collections Refurbished space Converted office space into a consultation room. Opened it up with a glass wall Created two presentation practice spaces

18

19

20

21

22

23 DSSC Furniture Herman Miller Collaborative Design Multiple chairs per desk Convenient electrical access Convenient network access

24

25 DSSC Equipment 22 Collaborative Workspaces - modular, open, accessible, attractive Presentation Practice Space people with projection, technology 4 Group Study Tables - large displays, laptop support Consultation Space - 2 consulting spaces in enclosed office

26 DSSC Collaborative Workspaces 22 Spatial Data/Numeric Stations –Dell Precision T5400 stations with 30” LCD or dual 24” LCD –ArcInfo/ESRI, Stata, Google Earth Pro, more –Assistive technology (ADA) support 5 Scanners –Four 8.5x14” with document feeder –One 11x17” oversized with document feeder –Abby FineReader software 4 Video Editing Stations (existing lab locations) –Apple Mac Pro, two 23” Cinema Displays –Final Cut Pro Studio, Logic 8

27

28

29

30

31 Services & Staffing Building on EDS model of service –Staff visible –Staff with different expertise available Librarians CUIT staff Graduate students Reassigning and retraining staff

32 Consultation Room Staffed –Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm –Friday 11am-5pm Support staff –Provide basic information assistance –Walkie-talkie to call librarian Librarians

33 Staff Training Refreshers for all staff –Key databases –Key resources Shared documentation with supervisor of CUIT lab –Documentation for DSSC –CUIT documentation for lab attendants

34 DSSC Program Reference Services Consultations Training & Workshops DSSC Webpage Marketing Services Assessment