Plugging In to the Net Generation
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| The planned Information Commons will take advantage of its lakeside location. |
“The only time I check the bookshelves is when my professor requires books for a paper,” says Giokaris, a communication major. Most young students have similar study habits. Due to the Internet and other technological innovations, the ways today’s students study and conduct research are vastly different from the methods of their parents’ generation. Many have never even used a card catalog.
To address the evolving research environment, University libraries and information services have embarked on an ambitious plan to create a state-of-the-art library called the Information Commons. The Information Commons is a fourstory facility planned at the Lake Shore Campus which will offer students, faculty and staff the latest computer technology and work space.
Ground was broken for the $30 million project earlier this summer. The building is scheduled to be completed in spring 2008, and will be located south of Cudahy Library with an expansive view of Lake Michigan. It’s the first part of a three-phrase program to upgrade the libraries at the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses.
Different information needs
The Information Commons concept is intuitive to today’s students,whom sociologists commonly refer to as “Millennials” or the “Net Generation.” They grew up with the World Wide Web, cell phones and DVDs.
“The Information Commons will provide students with access to new information technology in space designed for that purpose,” says Robert Seal, dean of University libraries. “Our students ask for and expect better study space, more computers, quiet areas and group work space—in short, a better learning environment. The Information Commons will meet those needs in an architecturally beautiful, technologically advanced facility which will be flexible; open; comfortable; and conducive to study, research and discussion.” Similar facilities are appearing on college campuses across the country.
Seal says the philosophy behind the project is to accomplish what he calls the three Cs: Collaboration, Connectivity and Community.
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| Space in the new facility is designed to maximize group study opportunities. |
- Collaboration: Learning is a social activity, and college students are increasingly working in groups, either on team projects and presentations for class, or gathering together in study groups.The Information Commons will include 35 study rooms, numerous group computing work stations, several classrooms and seminar rooms aimed at facilitating group collaboration.
- Connectivity: Today’s students are adept at multi-tasking. They’re capable of searching for information online while they listen to music,watch videos and communicate with their friends on the Internet and on cell phones.The Information Commons will provide 250 Internet-connected computers, offer wireless networking throughout the building, circulate 30-50 wireless laptops, and provide a website which connects users to a variety of online resources and technology tools.
- Community: Students need a safe, comfortable gathering place other than their homes or residence halls to relax, meet friends, read, study and conduct research.The Information Commons will offer a variety of seating areas and furniture to accommodate different study habits while encouraging group interaction. It will house a café and a quiet study area.
One of the best attributes of the Information Commons, however, is the element of flexibility built into its design. As information technologies are constantly evolving, the Information Commons is designed to adapt to the changing landscape of study and research— making it useful not only to today’s students, but to the students of generations to come.
JOHN T. SLANIA