Unveiling the Learning Commons
Lori Mestre (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Library and Information Science and Digital Learning Librarian)
As part of a joint effort between CITES and the Library (and funded by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics), the Undergraduate Library is in the process of evolving into a "Learning Commons." In her presentation, Lori Mestre provided an overview of the goals of the Learning Commons and noted the various opportunities that educators have for an enhanced role within the Commons. According to Mestre, the increased use of technology as a means of accessing information and the shift toward cooperative learning and group study have brought changes in the way students and faculty use libraries, technology, and information resources. This shift in technology has stimulated the University to revamp the Undergraduate Llibrary and integrate different services and expand its technological support.
The goals of the Learning Commons include:
- Revitalization of the Undergraduate Library to support the needs of current and future students.
- Integration of CITES, Library, and other support services into a common help desk for one-stop service.
- Creation of a web site that will serve as a "first stop" resource page.
The Learning Commons project also includes transforming the physical space of the Undergraduate Library by removing a number of carrels from the lower level and adding collaborate work space.
More information about the Learning Commons is available at: http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ugl/lc/
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