Something New!
A New Face For the Learning Commons!
By Caroline Dallstream & Simon Bakke, LC Liaisons
Whether you’re entering the Library through the Wilson entrance or crossing the Skybridge into the Wilson wing, two friendly faces sitting behind a small station known as the Learning Commons Info Desk will be there to greet you.
The student staff is available during all regular library hours and can assist in locating places in the Library as well as in connecting people with appropriate resources.
Behind the Info Desk, you’ll also see that the Library Learning Commons has put on a new face by creating an open space for collaboration including having Library resources available. An on-call research librarian waits at the ready for research consultations, Writing Center Assistants are near-by for conferencing, and all the other Learning Commons program partners across the main floor are poised and ready to support patrons’ needs.
Though the look of this space is new, the concept of having a studio-like environment in the Library is not. Mabel Zoe Wilson (our first librarian) once called the library a “student’s workshop” where learners could “double and magnify their creative work” (The Weekly Messenger, 1927). Now thanks, in part, to a $75,000 donation received from Dave and Ann Mann, the Learning Commons is moving forward with creating this “workshop” space in Wilson Library.
While the Library and Learning Commons staff supports learning and scholarship, this area in the Wilson wing is designed to facilitate collaboration in a central location, making many of the Library’s resources easily accessible. Besides the all-important human resources available, the space also features a media-scape table with a split screen that enables groups (up to six at a time) to work together.
There’s no need to worry while the Wilson wing is getting this face lift. On the Haggard side Circulation staff continues to provide their regular friendly services, while the Student Technology Center now handles laptop checkouts and support.
As students, we’re very excited about these changes to the Learning Commons, and hope you will find them useful, too. Between now and the beginning of fall quarter, there will be more Learning Commons upgrades including new furniture. Until then, stop by to work with others and get help from your always-eager-to-help Library staff.
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This Issue's Great Tip
Research Help is on the Way!
By Julene Sodt, Research & Information Specialist
If you are looking for resources for course assignments, the new Learning Commons Information Desk on the main floor of Wilson is the place to begin!
On-call research help is just a few steps away at the Research Consultation area. Save time and stress by asking for help early in your research process.
A librarian can help you brainstorm search terms, find the best databases for your topic, and show you tricks to using them more effectively. With our experience and expertise can help locate resources you can’t find with Google!
We are also collaborating with our Learning Commons partner the Writing Center so that you can seamlessly integrate your writing and research in a final product.
And, did you know that you don’t have to be in the library to ask a librarian your questions? Contact us directly through live chat, text message (360-797-5910), and Twitter (@Ask_WWU_Lib), or you can search our growing database of past Q & A’s to recycle an answer.
Find Ask Us by clicking on the button to the left side of most library pages, or go to http://askus.library.wwu.edu/.
On-call research help and chat services are available during the following hours:
Monday – Friday from 9:00 to 9:00pm
Friday from 9-5pm
Saturday from 1-6pm
Sunday from 12-9pm
Another great option is to schedule a research consultation with a subject specialist, a librarian with expertise in your area of study.
Appointments are usually scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
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