Topic:
Review and revise the Library Master Plan to reflect emerging technologies, new service models, changes in scholarly communications, user preferences, and to address deferred maintenance and accessibility.
Themes:
- Emergent themes discussed at the master planning table generally fell into two primary, overlapping categories – services and spaces.
- Services – With respect to overall services, there was an expressed desire to continue with many of the planned improvements to the Main Library. The movement toward establishing a first floor service point was reinforced, and support for further consolidations (across the library) along the lines of the established NSM program were supported. Within that context, it was acknowledged that the importance of on-site storage for physical collections was diminishing, opening the Library to (a) build shared and collaborative work spaces that support, (b) establish reconfigurable, multi-use spaces, and (c) develop cooperative spaces that could better utilize spaces for service programs sponsored by other units or programs on campus.
- Spaces – With respect to spaces, there was expressed a general sense that NSM-related changes to rooms that moved collections out in exchange for more comfortable seating, collaborative and individual work spaces, etc… were experiencing higher usage. Room 200 was cited as an example. The improvements that were highlighted were tempered by some reality checks however. The aesthetic maintenance of facilities, need for more comfortable seating, need to continue making improvements on wayfinding, modernized bathrooms, and improvements in accessibility (in terms of spaces and facilities) are still important and in need of attention. Related to the improvements in spaces is the need to ensure that we are able to adequately house physical collections. It was acknowledged that onsite collections storage was becoming less necessary, but such diminished importance required us to be cognizant of increasing needs for off-site storage.
Stakeholders (Groups):
- Faculty, staff, and students.
- General public.
- Library personnel
- Admissions and Advancement programs on campus
Hiring Plan Impact:
None in immediate future.
Adjacencies with other Topical Areas:
- Organizational Culture
- Space Audit