Social Learning Spaces in the Li Ka Shing Library

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Yeo & Rindra • Social Learning Spaces in Li Ka Shing Library“Libraries must provide numerous technology-infusedgroup study rooms andproject-development spaces. As “laboratoriesthat learn”, these spaces aredesigned to be easily reconfigured inresponse to new technologies andpedagogies. In this interactive learningenvironment, it is important to accommodatethe sound of learning – livelygroup discussions or intense conversationsover coffee.”(Freeman, 2005, p. 5)We asked instead “How can we use furnitureto create the feel of a collaborativeproject area in this open space?” Weplanned to develop a people-oriented andcontemporary layout that would appeal tostudents and meet their needs. We involvedthe Dean of Students and the students atSMU in the design of the CSA. We hadstudents of all sizes and nationalities tryout different furniture configurations proposedby Philips Design. We involved ourhandicapped students as well. In trying todecide between two chair models, the studentsasked for and got both. The raised“lazy susan” proposed for the centre ofthe table to swivel a laptop was changedto be flush with the rest of the table as thestudents felt it was not practical and thatthe laptop wiring would just get entangled.We planned publicity for the CSA. We hademail blasts about the CSA and held agrand opening by the SMU President, ProfHoward Hunter on 9 November 2006. Ouruniversity newsletter, SMU Hub, publishedan article on the CSA in January 2007.Table 3: Layout of LKS LibraryLevel 2Entrance & Exit of LibraryCollaborative Study Area> Project spaces> Tables & seatsCustomer Services CentreCafeCourse Reserves> Tables & seatshttp://library.smu.edu.sg/images/L2.gifLevel 3Information Services CentreLibrary ComputersLibrary OfficeReading area> Tables & seats> SofasProject RoomsReference & Periodicals Collectionhttp://library.smu.edu.sg/images/L3.gifLevel 4Library ComputersReading areas> Tables & seats> CarrelsProject RoomsLending Collectionhttp://library.smu.edu.sg/images/L4.gifLevel 5Training RoomReading Room> Tables & seatsProject Roomshttp://library.smu.edu.sg/images/L5.gifSingapore Journal of Library & Information Management • Volume 37 • 2008 53
Yeo & Rindra • Social Learning Spaces in Li Ka Shing LibraryTable 4: Rating of Library Building as a Place for Studying and ResearchPoorAverageGoodExcellentGood &ExcellentResponseTotal20072 .3%11.4%53.5%31.5%85.0%94520061 .5%12.2%47.9%37.5%85.4%706Evaluation of Library Space &Collaborative Study AreaBennett recommended asking this question“How might this space enrich educationalexperiences?” when designing alearning space. He proposed that by “providingcongenial, productive, and meritconferringlearning spaces” to accommodateindependent study, capstone experiences,and learning communities”, and notforgetting having serious conversationswith other students, it would make thesebehaviors more attractive to students toengage in (Bennett, 2007b, p. 22).We wanted to evaluate how successful theLi Ka Shing Library was in being a research,social and event space for theSMU.The Library had done annual surveys in2006 and 2007. One of the questions askedwas: Rate the library building as a placefor studying and research. We have maintainedthe good and excellent rating at85%. (See Table 4).However, there were no specific questionsabout individual areas in the Library. Asmaller survey was conducted in Marchto April 2008 to evaluate the CSA specifically.The total number of respondents was289 with undergraduates making up 94%of the respondents. (See Table 5).The user satisfaction with the ambience,furniture and layout of CSA averaged 75%.The satisfaction with the Smartboard andwhiteboards was lower as users were notsure how to use the Smartboard and usersalso wanted consumables like paper, markersand erasers to be provided.Table 5: Rating of Collaborative Study AreaPoorAverageGoodExcellentGood &ExcellentResponseTotalA mbience 11.1%15.6%58.8%14.5%73.4%289F urniture11.4%12.5%51.9%24.2%76.1%289L ayout7 .3%16.7%62.9%13.2%76.0%288S martboard 8 .3%35.1%40.9%15.6%56.6%288W hiteboards 6 .6%31.3%44.6%17.4%62.0%2875 4 Singapore Journal of Library & Information Management • Volume 37 • 2008
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Social Learning Spaces in the Li Ka Shing Library

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