Building a Learning Community

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Building a Learning Community

• Access, Create, Collaborate!

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Overview

• Information Commons Background
• Terrapin Learning Commons Vision
• From Vision to Reality
• Terrapin Learning Commons Practicalities

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Information Commons Background

• Access, Create, Collaborate!

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What IS an Information Commons?

• A service model
• Brings together resources services Libraries
  (reference) and Information Technology
• A place
• BOTH virtual physical
• Computing and library resources are available to
  users
• A partnership
• Developing services to combine computer access
  and research assistance

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Who has Information Commons?

• 30 of those who responded to a 2004 survey of
  123 Association Research Libraries
• Increasing trend
• 5 in 1995
• 13 by 2000
• 22 by 2004

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• Southern Methodist University
• Information Commons

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• University of Arizona
• Information Commons

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• Indiana University
• Information Commons

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• University of Iowa
• Information Commons

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What do these have in common?

• A visible impact on student learning by
  providing a seamless, integrated computing and
  research environment for students, faculty, and
  staff
• Physical facilities that generally include
• lots of computers
• a computer help desk
• a reference desk
• areas for individual consultation
• a print reference collection
• printers and scanners
• collaboration spaces
• specialized multimedia development tools
• specialized software like GIS or AutoCAD

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What do these have in common?

• A virtual presence - meets users where THEY are
• Key to success sufficient staff with diverse
  skills available to answer patrons questions

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Vision and Goals

• Access, Create, Collaborate!

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From University Mission

• elevate the quality of undergraduate education
  by systematically integrating the use of
  information technology into its instructional
  programs so that all faculty and students can
  fully exploit new technology as an essential tool
  in teaching and learning

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From University Mission

• Ensure an administrative, operational, and
  physical infrastructure that fully supports a
  first-class university by creating and
  maintaining an electronic networking
  infrastructure that provides the tools for
  faculty and staff to excel in their research and
  scholarship and to utilize innovative approaches
  to teaching and learning

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OIT Mission

• OIT's mission is
• to provide leadership and innovation in
  information technology planning,
• to implement efficient technology
  infrastructures,
• to develop and deploy effective information
  systems, and
• to deliver responsive IT support services.

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Libraries Vision

• The University of Maryland Libraries will be
• An innovative leader
• A model for client-centered service excellence
• A source of information resources that enhance
  learning and teaching within an environment that
  is both physical and virtual

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A Model of Ubiquitous Support for Learning

• The TLC Vision
• The Terrapin Learning Commons (TLC) will take
  user support to a whole new level by providing a
  seamless, integrated computing environment for
  students, faculty, and staff. The goal of the
  TLC can be summed up in three words--
• ACCESS,
• CREATE,
• COLLABORATE.

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Access

• Users will be able to ACCESS from a single
  desktop a wide variety of tools, the libraries
  databases and full text electronic resources, and
  the expertise to help users develop their skills
  in using those resources effectively.

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Create

• Users will be able to CREATE projects in many
  formats, from editing a video clip to importing
  into a PowerPoint presentation to using
  sophisticated statistics and graphing software to
  analyze and present data from a research project.

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Collaborate

• Users will have the opportunity to COLLABORATE in
  spaces designed for collaboration, both physical
  and virtual, with a full range of resources to
  bring people and technology together in ways that
  transform their academic experience.

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What if

• a student or faculty member wanted to
  incorporate some visuals into a presentation but
  didn't have access to the hardware and software
  needed to make that happen?

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What if

• you found that on your way to class or a
  meeting you had forgotten to print out an
  important paper or you realized in the midst of a
  discussion that you had some images on a server
  that would illustrate your point?

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What if

• you wanted to create a project, paper, or
  presentation?

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What if

• a student was doing research for a class
  presentation and needed help finding the most
  current resources?

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What if

• a student is trying to write a paper and is
  having trouble organizing the content and putting
  his/her ideas into words?

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What makes the TLC unique?

• Serves both faculty and students
• Provides access to technical and content
  resources in one physical place
• Addresses information technology fluency and
  information literacy issues
• Supports collaborative work
• Links faculty to both technical and content
  expertise through the Faculty Development Center

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Keys to Success

• Building on the spirit of collaboration and
  expertise of the planning committee
• Learning from what other institutions have done
• Implementing the project in phases
• Leveraging existing resources
• Libraries staff, equipment, space, library
  materials, etc.
• OIT staff, hardware, software,
  telecommunications, etc.
• Other partners (Writing Center, UG Research,
  etc.)

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From Vision to Reality

• Access, Create, Collaborate!

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Summer 2005
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Summer 2005

• Open study space on north and south end of second
  floor

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Phase Fall 2005
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Phase Fall 2005

• Management
• TLC Desk Supervisor (contract position)
• Partners Steering Committee

• Facilities Equipment
• Shift collections to create open study space
• 8 Email workstations
• Wireless access throughout 2nd floor
• Introduce single Pay for Print service for
  Libraries and McKeldin WAM Lab
• Software Access Development
• Permanent icon link to Libraries home page on WAM
  desktop

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Phase Spring 2006
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Phase Spring 2006

• Software Access Development
• TLC Image includes all of WAM plus EndNote and
  ProCite
• TLC presentation of services/support, software,
  information resources on desktop or web page

• Facilities Equipment
• Service Desk (staffed all library hours)
• 100 Computers
• Scanners
• 4 Pay for Print stations
• 1 Pay for Print Color station
• Media Production Room
• LCD Projector
• DVDs and DVD Writers
• VCRs
• Digital A/V Equipment
• 2 Additional Group Study Rooms

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Phase Spring 2006

• Management
• TLC Supervisor hires and trains student staff
  before opening
• TLC Manager of day-to-day operations
  (additional responsibilities for current staff
  member)

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Phase Fall 2006
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Phase Fall 2006

• Management
• 1 Graduate Assistant
• Reference Librarian
• TLC Manager (full-time)
• TLC Advisory Board
• Faculty Development Center Staff (ATCs and
  Library Subject Specialists)

• Facilities Equipment
• Presentation Prep Room
• Faculty Development Center
• Consulting Services
• Writing Center
• Specialized Software Support
• Advanced Research Support
• Software Access Development
• Expand image to include CAD, GIS, animation
  software, etc.
• Online support services for TLC (service desk
  equivalent)

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Phase Fall 2007
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Phase Fall 2007

• Management
• 1 more Graduate Assistant
• Possible Future Services
• Remote access to TLC software via thin client
• Student helpdesk

• Facilities Equipment
• Higher end or unique multimedia equipment as
  determined by user need
• Software Access Development
• Higher end or unique software applications as
  determined by user need
• TLC Image in use in all Libraries and WAM labs

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Practicalities

• Access, Create, Collaborate!

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TLC Practicalities

• Hours of Operation
• Staffing
• Training Staff Development
• Publicity
• Costs Funding
• Evaluation

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TLC Practicalities
Hours of Operation
The facility is open from Sunday 1200 pm -
Friday 800 pm Saturday 1000 am - 800 pm
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TLC Practicalities
Staffing
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TLC Practicalities
Training

• Training and staff development are critical to
  the successful operation of the TLC.
• Training will be developed with participation by
  the Partners Steering Committee and relevant
  staff.
• Key components of the training will include
• TLC policies and procedures
• Knowledge of reference materials and tools
  available in the TLC
• Operation of basic software
• Simple troubleshooting and maintenance of
  hardware
• Basic consulting skills (primarily for students)

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TLC Practicalities
Staff Development

• Staff who are assigned to the TLC as a major
  part of their job responsibilities will be
  provided with appropriate staff development
  opportunities to increase their skills and
  develop connections with staff at similar
  facilities elsewhere through
• Conferences,
• Training classes, and
• Video and/or audio conferencing.

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TLC Practicalities
Budget Costs Funding

• Three components
• Phases 0 1 One-time and startup costs
• Phase 2 Beyond Ongoing annual costs
• Potential revenue or income

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TLC Practicalities
Evaluation

• To insure that the TLC accomplishes its mission
  and goals, an evaluation plan will be developed.
• Two key groups will guide the evaluation process.
• The Advisory Board will provide systematic input
  from users.
• The Partners Steering Committee and staff will
  provide input on operational issues.
• The evaluation plan will encompass two
  approaches.
• Formative to improve operations and services
• Summative to assess progress toward goals

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Discussion