Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Plasma screens and comfy couches might grace the third or fourth levels of Anschutz Library in Fall 2010.
The University is planning to create a new area called the “Learning Commons” in Anschutz, which would blend the library’s informal study environment with its technological facilities, such as printers and computers. The area would also include a snack bar, projectors, group-study areas and career-planning and writing services.
Leah Chen, Fairbury, Neb., freshman, studies at Anschutz Library. In Fall 2010, Anschutz may see new additions such as couches and a snack bar.
Many students consider Anschutz the most casual of the University’s libraries; some even call it “Club Anschutz,” according to an article in the Nov. 17 edition of Oread, a KU publication. Katie Ashley, Lawrence sophomore, said she looked forward to having a noisier, social area in Anschutz.
“Even though it’s really loud, sometimes I feel like I’m too loud,” she said. “It would be nice to have a place for working on group projects and stuff.”
Jennifer Church-Duran, assistant dean of KU Libraries, said Anschutz provided an ideal location for the Learning Commons because it was busy and popular.
“We can improve services to the campus community by offering a seamless environment that provides a coherent and integrated approach to learning, writing, research and technology support,” Church-Duran wrote in an e-mail.
While some students find a laid-back, group-study environment distracting, Shannon McNeal, Lenexa junior, said most students enjoyed background noise while studying. McNeal, who is a writing consultant for the KU Writing Center, said the Learning Commons environment would probably benefit students during their writing consultations because most liked working on group projects in a “talkative environment.” But, she said, hearing other people talking would not help if students were trying to write papers individually.
“If I walk away and I leave a writer to work on some paragraph, and if there’s tons of talking, it will take them 20 times longer to finish that paragraph,” she said.
Several departments including Student Success, KU Libraries and Information Services and the Department of Student Housing are collaborating on the project. Church-Duran said the concept for a “learning commons” had become popular during the past five years. Several other universities, including the University of Colorado and the University of Illinois, have developed similar projects.
Church-Duran said the planning was in its early stages and several focus groups were being conducted to pinpoint what faculty, staff and students would like in the area. She said the budget would depend on funding from private donors and the campus departments involved in the project.
Jayme Uden, principal investigator for the Department of Student Housing, sent out a University-wide survey on Nov. 20, asking students what was most important to them in a potential “learning commons.”
David Mucci, director of the KU Memorial Unions, said feedback from focus groups made it clear that students were looking for an ideal study environment for groups and individuals.
“As we tease that out, it will give us a much better sense of what will be most appreciated in an Anschutz renovation,” he said.
Mucci said the discussion phase of the project should be finished by December.
— — Edited by Andy Greenhaw
New policies help limit noise in libraries
Watson, Anschutz libraries have two designated study areas to remedy noise problem.
Anchutz Library turns 20
Once uveiled, the more spacious building will soon be an epicenter of ...
Library workshops improve availability
KU Libraries’ Instructional Services hopes students will take advantage of its additional ...
Anschutz plans to fix login problems
After several student complaints about the slow network, KU Information Technology officials ...
Library exhibit spotlights climate issue
The first KU Libraries exhibit will incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to the ...
University policy regarding the flow of booze ...
The rules and regulations of serving alcohol on University grounds.
Programs certifying more students
More students are involved in University programs dealing with service, research and ...
Libraries become popular hangouts during finals week
When finals week rolls around, the libraries fill up with students trying ...
New south trafficway facing opposition
Environmental groups stress environmental and spiritual consequences of the traffic way construction.
Anschutz receives environmental award
Anschutz Library is awarded for student-led initiative to use wind power to ...
Rain garden by recreation center to prevent ...
Native flowers and grasses will allow the $40,000 garden to manage the ...
Bond funding library renovations up for vote
If approved, the bond will help fund a library expansion, a larger ...
Coalitions offer their platforms to campus
ConnectKU, Students of Liberty, and United Students hope to appeal to students ...
Anchutz library upgrades to faster wireless Internet
Anschutz Library now has faster and more reliable wireless internet.
Student designs Underground expansion
Design and construction management's projects also include Marvin Hall and Anschutz Library.
Students defy statistics, give back to community
Three KU students split their time between studying and volunteering.
Student studies abroad in small village
KU student Chelsea Cooley learns to appreciate the environment while studying in ...
Researchers, students to develop cleaner fuel
In the future, campus buses could be powered by leftovers from the ...
Demonstrators hope to stop wetland road talks
Students, locals at Strong Hall try to convince the University to preserve ...
IT officials work on network problems
Students can expect faster login times, wireless Internet after winter break.
Know your Student Senate candidates
Learn more about the candidates for Student Senate
Report shows University increases recycling
As convenience increases, so does the number of tons of garbage recycled. ...
Funding slashed for environmental group
The Student Environmental Advisory Board is learning to adjust to decreased funding ...
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
Living by the Book
Access for all: Becoming an inclusive campus
Students and administrators expand on accessibility issues at the University.
Lawrence Library expansion project approved
The $18 million project is expected to take 20 months to complete.
Student Senate slashes funding for environmental group
The Student Environmental Advisory Board is learning to adjust to decreased funding ...
City library looks to expand
McCollum lobby goes wireless
The University nears completion with its plan to provide wireless Internet to ...
Officials agree to Underground expansion
The popular lunch spot on campus will undergo a 139-seat expansion to ...
University incorporates Common Book Program
Incoming freshman will receive a personal copy of “Notes from No Man’s ...
Brown: The college experience: More than a ...
Students should take advantage of opportunities.
Connect wants to revamp Potter Lake
By improving Potter Lake’s water quality and landscape, Connect hopes the lake ...
Civic Engagement Week gets students involved
Throughout the week, students will have the chance to get involved in ...
Library exhibit raises AIDS awareness
Health educators say students don’t take the disease and its effects seriously ...
KUnited assesses progress during previous term
The coalition has fulfilled nine of the 20 promises it made during ...
Students learn to study abroad on a ...
As the dollar’s exchange rate worsens, people learn to live frugally in ...
Developer includes students on renovation
A renovation of three buildings in one of Lawrence's historical neighborhoods offers ...
Professor urges scientific communication
Scurto encourages science students to work with student media to present information
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Anschutz Library to consider social “learning commons”
maybe they should fix the walls in Anschutz before talking about improvements- they are falling apart in the common room. Sure makes our buildings look great to visitors when they are only 10 years old and already falling apart.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID