Washington College Magazine
The Information Commons is particularly suited to academic research and collaborative work using the latest information technology.
Welcome To The 21st Century
By Ruth Shoge, Director of Miller Library
It is 10 a.m.—early morning by students' clocks—and the aroma of coffee wafts through the Information Commons. As students gather to work at computers or tables the place gradually comes alive. By lunchtime, there may be a student with a sandwich or, more amazingly, one with a meal from the dining hall. I face an even more incredible moment when I am called to the desk in earnest, because a pizza delivery has arrived.
Do not be mistaken by this odd scenario of library as café; today's library is not just a place where students take physical nourishment; it is a place where they have ready access to whatever they need to study and learn. We have laid the conceptual framework for a vibrant center of learning, creativity and community that responds to the emerging trends and innovations in teaching, learning and communications of the 21st century. Our resources and services reflect how knowledge is created, stored and disseminated in physical and virtual spaces and formats. This generation of learners thrives in an environment driven by technology, therefore we enrich their learning environment with a team of librarians, instructional technologists and computer, media, writing, math, and study skills specialists whose expertise helps to promote investigation and discovery.
Through the collaborative effort of Miller Library, Office of Information Technologies and Academic Resources, this team of professionals is available to assist students in the critical use of the resources and technology for academic and lifelong learning. As a result, in addition to turning in a traditional term paper, students are creating rich multimedia content including interactive presentations, digital videos and podcasts from their research findings.
The Information Commons
With its eye-catching design of jewel-toned pillars, color-coordinated work stations and panoramic campus views, the Information Commons has become one of the more popular study spaces on campus. The 18 state-of-the-art computers range from single monitors in carrel style to dual monitors and two 30-inch monitors where up to four students can collaborate on joint projects. Other students work at tables or in lounge chairs rearranged to suit the group or where they can easily plug in their laptops.
Strategically located near OIT's Help Desk and the instruction, research and electronic resources librarians, students in the Information Commons can readily get help with their research and computing. The Information Commons, created in the summer 2006, was made possible by a donation of $250,000 from Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kohl and the Hedgelawn Foundation as well as $123,000 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Office of Information Technology
In keeping with the vision of providing all the help students need to complete an assignment, the learning opportunities are fanned throughout three floors. On the ground level, students and faculty explore the digital media and communications possibilities in the Multimedia Production Center—a popular and exciting place. Media professionals and knowledgeable student consultants are always on hand to assist with anything from how to scan slides to recording and editing audio and digital videos.
Also on the ground floor is the newly completed Henry C. Beck Instructional Lab, a flexible teaching and learning space that offers faculty, students and staff a place to experiment with emerging technologies. Configurable furniture, gallery lighting and six presentation screens augmented by theatre sound make the Beck Lab an appealing and inspiring environment to work, so groups of students, often accompanied by faculty, congregate here to create digital video projects, record a podcast, attend workshops, or complete a variety of projects.
Virtual Library
In an age of rapid information generation and dissemination, libraries are compelled to keep up with 24/7 access and delivery of academic resources to the College community. The "Google" generation of learners spend much of their time in a "virtual" place. The library must then establish its place in the virtual world. Accordingly, Miller Library provides access to over 25,000 full-text journals and hundreds of reference books and e-books in over 100 databases from our Web site. In addition to electronic reserves and online reference, we want our virtual library to be rich in academic sources such as archival materials, student theses and faculty publications as well as an interactive communication channel between the library and the rest of the community. The generous annual donations of the Women's League of Washington College help us to keep the virtual library growing.
A rich collection of books is still the hallmark of a good liberal arts college library and, for Miller Library, a well-balanced collection of books to support the curriculum remains critical to the transformation of the library. Recently we received two excellent collections. The Alan Pasch Collection of rare books on grammar and rhetoric includes many printed before the 17th century and as early as the 15th. Writer John Barth donated 35 copies (13 titles) of his books including ones published in German, Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian, Greek, Japanese and Italian. Friends of Miller Library are committed to enhancing the library's Maryland collection, with emphasis on the Eastern Shore.
The College's ultimate goal is the transformation of Miller Library into an academic complex that represents and characterizes the enduring ideals of a liberal arts education embraced by Washington College for the past 225 years, yet also looks to the future. In meeting our five-year strategic goals, this is a giant step in the right direction.
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