Library morphs into learning commons

Students access their accounts
Students access their account information at the new Information Technology Help Desk in the Reta E. King Library. (Photo by Frank Bright)

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The Reta E. King Library staff, along with the college administration, is transforming the library into a learning commons area which will address student and faculty needs by bringing together technology, tutoring, content and services in an upgraded physical space that provides an engaging, collaborative environment, according to Shawn Hartman, outreach librarian.

An open house to celebrate the Learning Commons is planned for Sept, 26. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

She added, “Our goal is to create a teaching and learning center that is powered by students, faculty, information technologists, and librarians – an intellectual living room on campus. All the new, soft furnishings are very inviting and comfortable.”

"The library Learning Commons is the teaching and learning laboratory in which information literacy and research education are the curriculum - a petri dish for evolving technologies and teaching/learning methodologies," Hartman said.

Some of the library renovations include:

·        Relocated and redesigned reference and circulation desks

·        IT Help Desk                                                     

·        Student lounge

·        Group study rooms

·        Tutoring/writing center     

·        Collaborative lounge spaces

·        Comfortable soft furnishings

·        Biography/Fiction Library

·        Coffee shop with upgraded vending - in progress

·        Quiet study spaces on the upper level along with upgraded furnishings

·        Law library

Regular hours for the learning commons are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. More information is available at csc.edu/library or by call 308-432-6271.

-CSC College Relations

Category: Campus News, King Library