The Library Commons: 21^st Century Research Support Arrives at 2521 Channing

In Fall 2006, IRLE dedicated a fully renovated Library Commons. The new space was designed to support scholarship and research in a variety of ways, all of which are balanced to support core library services, while also serving the faculty and program units at IRLE.

Scope and Features of the Project

The new Library Commons is visually stunning, extremely well designed for flexible use, and has become a focal point for community-building among scholars who affiliate with IRLE. Elements of the design include:

The IRLE Library Commons are often used for presentations, meetings, and workshops. Fall 2007

• Comfortable lounge seating with area lamps
• Conference/study table with room for 12 persons (more tables may be added)
• AirBears installed for ubiquitous WiFi access
• An Information Gateway with five public access workstations, two of which are fully available to the general public. These systems may be used for both library research and for "task" computing, such as word processing.
• A semi-private alcove for visiting scholars, with workstations, laptop space and locking private storage
• New, private staff offices and reference counter workspaces
• Digital projection and screen installed and ready for laptop access
• Relocation of approximately 50 percent of the print collection to nearby sites, including a connected room on the first floor, and secure storage in on the basement level

IRLE Library Commons after the remodel, February 2007

The Library Commons has been operating since September 2006. Since that time, it has become enormously popular. Program units reserve space for meetings, which are "semi-private," i.e., they share the space with other researchers and patrons. Powerpoint presentations and Web searching can be displayed online during colloquia. Informal meetings between faculty, students and staff occur in visually pleasing surroundings. Visitors use the Library Commons as a welcoming waiting area before meeting with people who have offices in the building. Students use the space for studying, reading, even for taking a nap.

IRLE Library Commons after the remodel, February 2007

The space has made a significant, positive impact on IRLE's organizational culture, and also on how information is used. It has fostered community-building among IRLE programs, and it provides a much-needed venue for faculty events and activities. The IRLE Library's mission is primarily digital, but the print collections have been safeguarded.