Focus Group Feedback

Last week the Library BAC (Building Advisory Committee) held 2 days of focus groups to provide feedback on space needs. Next week (Mon Oct 31, Tue Nov 1), we’ll participate in library staff focus groups to provide additional feedback.

For a library, there is no such thing as too much input from our community. (I’ve been here for over 25 years and during last week’s focus groups I STILL learned new things about what you need.)

Have an opinion? Have a vision of the “perfect” library? We will hear you. Post a comment here or on the Library’s other social media sites, or contact any of the Library staff.

 

 

Finite Space: Flexible Response

We know there are many possible responses to the multiple demands on Library space. Of course, there are our “Big Dreams,” but there are also strategic changes that are readily within our grasp.

[Big Dreams are cool ideas that would make Mines Library THE place to go for academic learning. I’ll post some as we go along.]

With a finite space, one thing we can do is be smart about how we enable you to use it. Doing a project together? Need to focus? Just relaxing? Getting homework done? Need to visualize your work? Holding a virtual meeting? Feeling creative? Flexible configurable student spaces are one way to meet your needs.

The space isn’t right if the furnishings aren’t right. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a choice of furniture–chairs, 1-person tables, study carrels, group tables, collaborative workstations, standing tables, study rooms, a place to put your tablet?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could move the Library furniture around just the way you want it? (Furniture on wheels–yay!) Wouldn’t it be nice if you could create a “room” using moveable partitions? Wouldn’t it be nice to have one library space for every day, and another for finals week?

Flexible design–definitely a good use of Library space.

 

Shared Voice

When we consider a library renovation, we try to communicate with a shared voice. The Library is here for the Mines community; as the Mines library staff it’s our job to create the best library possible for the university. That shared voice will likely evolve, but right now for the Library building it’s:

1. Design for the future–If there’s one certainty, it’s change. Design should facilitate change as Mines changes.
2. Be inviting and useful to our community–Meet a range of user needs; create an environment that encourages learning and creation; facilitate access to content; universal design to welcome all.
3. Enable innovative library and campus services–A lab for instruction, consultation, collaboration, visualization, and more.
4. Extreme flexibility (yes, extreme)–Responsive to RIGHT NOW; student-configurable, adaptable; spaces that can be re-purposed on the fly.
5. Connect the physical and digital–Integrate services, resources and technology; visibility, flow.
6. Maximize space use–Multi-function spaces, shared spaces, agile spaces, efficient spaces.
7. Effective staff spaces–Spaces that enable staff (Library, Writing Center, CASA etc.) to do their best.
8. Reflect Mines’ present and its rich heritage–Showcase who we are now and where we come from.

Of course, our voice isn’t the only one out there. Have a say of your own? Let us know.

Upcoming Focus Groups

Library Renovation Focus Group interviews will be held Wednesday Oct 19 and Thursday Oct 20. They include the Testing Center, AMS Learning Center, CASA, Library, Writing Center, Deans/representatives of CECS, CASE, and CERSE, and a student group.

Seen at Other Libraries…

Some different approaches to space.

Anderson Academic Commons Library, Univ. of Denver

This main floor’s central area has books, displays and student seating. The perimeter holds a large conference room, cafe, and student services.

Technology lab, DU Library

Those services includes a library help desk, writing and language center, math and science tutoring/study spaces, and a technology help desk.

 

Writing and math tutoring space, DU Library.

Here, student spaces–What works for a shared space with a variety of people doing different things.

Computers for single and group work, Auraria Library.

Study rooms, Auraria Library

Discovery wall for data visualization, talks, etc., Auraria Library.

And yes, I have a thing for tables–I want my table to be the right size, the right height, and placed just where I want it. Is it any wonder I love moveable adjustable tables?

Tablet-size moveable tables, Auraria Library.

Adjustable stand-up table, Auraria Library.

Adjustable table, Golden Community Center.

What’s the Plan?

The proposal on the table is to do a renovation and relocate tutoring services and the Writing Center to the Library building, possibly along with the Testing Center. Between the initial proposal in 2015 and the formation of the current Library Building Advisory Committee (BAC), we’ve had time to think about the “how” as well as the “what” in a big-picture way. How can a renovation make the Library a better student-centered place for Mines?

So, that’s our renovation goal–An academic gathering place with a student focus. The next question is, “How do we get there?”

For now, the Library’s identified these strategies:

1. Improve student spaces.
2. Boost access to content.
3. Reduce the collections’ footprint.
4. Integrate service areas and staff spaces.

This will help the Library go from the Baseline Future to the Preferred Future that better benefits Mines.

We’ll be collaborating with the architects and other stakeholders — community involvement is key, people! — on all of it. As the experts in A) and B) above, we’ll take the lead on the changes with the print and e- content we provide to Mines.

Welcome

We’re sharing news on the upcoming (this Spring 2017) renovation of the Colorado School of Mines Library. Included: status updates, potential impacts on our community, and possible ideas for new spaces and services. And…we hope to get YOUR feedback and ideas on what you want to transform the Mines Library.