The Information Commons have debuted at Olin Library, linking academic support services and resources to a student study lab for the first time. The Commons tie together library reference services, ITS technology based services, and the Student Academic Resource Network in a shared area that also functions as a computer lab.
University Librarian Barbara Jones first suggested the idea of the Commons when she came to the University in 2004.
“[Jones] worked closely with ITS to propose an Information Commons for Wesleyan which would provide academic services in a space with the furnishings and equipment to support a variety of group and individual learning styles,” said Patricia Tully, associate university librarian.
The Commons are located on the first floor of Olin, and are made up of large, cubicle-like desks geared toward group work or research. The study center includes 18 computers with a complete set of software, four computers solely for web access, and five standing-only computers for quick inquiries. The center also boasts three black-and-white printers, one color printer, a scanner, and WiFi technology. Writing tutors are on duty Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and ITS support is available from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Commons are the first phase of an overall plan to upgrade Olin’s resources. Currently, the staff intends to include study and instructional rooms on other floors of the library.
“Books and journals in print are still essential, and in some ways represent the core of the library’s collections, but of increasing importance are sound recordings, videos, graphics and a wide variety of electronic resources,” Tully said. “The Information Commons concept has evolved to provide ‘one-stop shopping’ for academic support services such as the library, information technology, and programs such as the Writing Program and Language Resource Center.”
So far, the Commons have been well-used by students. At various times of day many can be seen working on papers, doing research with stacks of books, or simply taking advantage of the convenient resources.
“There is this guy who web cams at that station every night,” said Laura Silver ’08. “I call him ‘Web-Cam Guy.’”
Student responses to direct questions about the Commons were almost unanimously positive.
“I like it, it is divided up well,” said Noah Kistler ’06.
Laura Fine ’08 agreed.
“There is lots of space to work,” she said. “This could be my spot for the year.”
Many students commended the inclusion of laptop plug-ins at the workstations, allowing them to use library resources while still being able to work on their personal machines for an extended period of time.
“This thing has been popular since it opened,” said Erhard Konerding, who works at the reference help desk next to the Commons.
Besides the high ceilings and bigger workstations, the Commons’ atmosphere sets itself apart from other computer labs.
“Most labs can be loud at night, but Olin is quieter,” said Max Wu ’08.
However, the ITS desk, toted as an integral part of the centralization of resources for students, has been underused so far this year.
“We haven’t really given a lot of help, basically the same as at all the other labs,” said Ken Sui ’07, one of eight ITS members who staff the desk in the Commons. Sui said he otherwise liked the Commons.
“I do think the space is great,” he said. “There is space for books, and it’s right next to the reference desk.”
While maintaining an overall consensus of approval, students did manage to bring up a few complaints about the new facilities.
“I don’t know how to print from my laptop here,” Silver said. “I can’t seem to find anyone who does.”
Other complaints pertained to the general ambience of the new area.
“They’re a little weird; they feel like an office with all the cubicles,” said Josh Saffeo ’06.
The institutional feel of the Commons was a key bone of contention.
“The lighting is a little intense,” Kistler said.
Despite these quirks, students maintain that the Commons are a great resource and useful addition to Olin.
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