A Field Guide to the Information Commons

by Charles Forrest, Martin Halbert

Overview

Our sources of information, and the practices we use to find it, are in a period of rapid flux. Libraries must respond by selecting, acquiring, and making accessible a host of new information resources, developing innovative services, and building different types of spaces to support changing user behaviors and patterns of learning. A Field Guide to the Information Commons describes an emerging library service model that embodies all three spheres of response: new information resources, collaborative service programs, and redesigned staff and user spaces.

Technology has enabled new forms of information-seeking behavior and scholarship, causing a renovation of libraries that revisits the idea of the "commons"—a public place that is free to be used by everyone. A Field Guide to the Information Commons describes the emergence, growth, and adoption of the concept of the information commons in libraries. This book includes a variety of contributed articles, and descriptive, structured entries for various information commons in libraries across the country and around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810866508
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/19/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	214
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Charles Forrest is Director of Library Facilities Management and Planning at the Emory University General Libraries in Atlanta, Georgia.

Martin Halbert is Director of Digital Innovations at the Emory University General Libraries in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also president of the MetaArchive Cooperative, an international digital preservation collaborative service for cultural memory organizations.

Table of Contents

Foreword Joan Gotwals v

Acknowledgments Charles Forrest Martin Halbert ix

Introduction Charles Forrest Martin Halbert xi

Part I The Information Commons

1 Origin and Development of the Information Commons in Academic Libraries Elizabeth J. Milewicz 3

2 Information Commons: Surveying the Landscape Joan K. Lippincott 18

3 Breaking Down Barriers to Working and Learning: Challenges and Issues in Designing an Information Commons Carole C. Wedge Janette S. Blackburn 32

4 Technology in the Information Commons Richard Bussell 41

5 Case Study in Customizing Information Commons Environments: Hardin Library James Duncan 50

Part II The Field Guide

Introduction to the Field Guide Entries 67

Field Guide Entries:

Brigham Young University (UT) 68

Bucknell University (PA) 71

California State Polytechnic University (CA) 75

Emory University (GA) 79

Ferris State University (MI) 84

Georgia Institute of Technology (GA) 88

Indiana University-Bloomington (IN) 93

Kansas State University (KS) 96

Kent State University (OH) 100

Lehigh University (PA) 103

Northwestern University (IL) 108

Oregon State University (OR) 111

Simon Fraser University (Canada) 115

St. Martin's University (WA) 119

Texas Christian University (TX) 124

Trinity University (TX) 128

University of Arizona (AZ) 131

University of Auckland Grafton Medical and Health Sciences Campus (New Zealand) 134

University of Auckland Kate Edger Information Commons (New Zealand) 137

University of Calgary (Canada) 142

University of Cape Town (South Africa) 145

University of Cincinnati (OH) 149

University of Iowa Hardin Library for the Health Sciences (IA) 153

University of IowaInformation Arcade (IA) 158

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN) 162

University of Nevada-Las Vegas (NE) 165

University of Newcastle (Australia) 168

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC) 171

University of Waterloo (Canada) 175

Afterword Crit Stuart 179

Appendix A Field Guide Entry Survey Form 183

Appendix B Time Line of Information Commons Developments 189

Index 191

About the Editors and Contributors 195

Editorial Reviews

A consistent format throughout the field guide enables one to compare and contrast features, while the narratives in the first part of the book provide support and guidance in the research of these implementations. This is a valuable resource for any academic library seeking to enhance, implement, or improve an information commons.

American Reference Books Annual

Information commons is an emerging library service model that encompasses the new ways libraries are providing access to information resources, joining collaborative service programs, and redesigning space to support changing user behaviors and patterns of learning. Part 1 offers contributed articles on topics such as the history of information commons in academic libraries, barriers to working and learning, and technology. Part 2, “The Field Guide,” consists of structured entries for information commons in 29 institutions around the world, with statistics and information on purpose, services, software, print resources, staff, funding or budget, publicity, and evaluation.

Booklist

The breadth of topics covered in this guide is admirable: from the history of information commons to their architectural development, to in-depth information about specific information commons projects. Furthermore, the text is well laid out and information is easy to find.

Higher Education Academy Subject Centre For Information

Information commons is an emerging library service model that encompasses the new ways libraries are providing access to information resources, joining collaborative service programs, and redesigning space to support changing user behaviors and patterns of learning. Part 1 offers contributed articles on topics such as the history of information commons in academic libraries, barriers to working and learning, and technology. Part 2, “The Field Guide,” consists of structured entries for information commons in 29 institutions around the world, with statistics and information on purpose, services, software, print resources, staff, funding or budget, publicity, and evaluation.

June 2009 Booklist

A consistent format throughout the field guide enables one to compare and contrast features, while the narratives in the first part of the book provide support and guidance in the research of these implementations. This is a valuable resource for any academic library seeking to enhance, implement, or improve an information commons.

May 2009 American Reference Books Annual

Information commons is an emerging library service model that encompasses the new ways libraries are providing access to information resources, joining collaborative service programs, and redesigning space to support changing user behaviors and patterns of learning. Part 1 offers contributed articles on topics such as the history of information commons in academic libraries, barriers to working and learning, and technology. Part 2, "The Field Guide," consists of structured entries for information commons in 29 institutions around the world, with statistics and information on purpose, services, software, print resources, staff, funding or budget, publicity, and evaluation.--Booklist, June 2009

The breadth of topics covered in this guide is admirable: from the history of information commons to their architectural development, to in-depth information about specific information commons projects. Furthermore, the text is well laid out and information is easy to find.--Higher Education Academy Subject Centre For Information

A consistent format throughout the field guide enables one to compare and contrast features, while the narratives in the first part of the book provide support and guidance in the research of these implementations. This is a valuable resource for any academic library seeking to enhance, implement, or improve an information commons.--American Reference Books Annual, May 2009

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