Moody Memorial Library was constructed in 1967 on the Baylor University campus in Waco, Texas. It was strategically located in order to serve students and faculty, as well as visitors to the campus. In an effort to better serve the needs of its patrons, Moody Library has converted the majority of its lower level (Garden Level) into an open concept study and computer access area with 24 hour availability the majority of the academic school year. I will attempt to describe the improved group study areas, flexible work stations as well as wireless and computer support that were the main objective behind these renovations.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePhase I – Summer 2008
ReplyDeleteJune 2008 - Phase I plans included the construction of a digitization center, conference room and full renovation of the east side of the Garden Level, resulting in the expansion of existing study area to an open concept study and computer access area. Demolition included the relocation of the under-utilized Scholars’ Room previously used to store and view rare books. The content of a 2,000 square foot storeroom was liquidated and walls blown out, while old study carrels and partitions were removed-all to accommodate the new digitization center, conference room and the east side of the study area.
The new Digitization Suite, now houses 2 audio/video digitization rooms, and equipment and work areas to house larger equipment needing controlled lighting. These facilities are used by staff and students to digitize and process materials. New Electronic Library staff offices are now centrally located in this area for better collaboration and accessibility to students.
The new conference room is equipped with large flat panel display, whiteboards, and video conferencing capabilities. Its intended use as an upscale conference room for staff and faculty during office hours has been expanded to also include use as a special collaboration room for students in the evenings.
Phase - I b
Books shelved on the west end of the Garden Level were relocated to increase the open study area to over 5,000 square feet and to upgrade the space, making it computer accessible with more electrical outlets for laptops and greater wireless capabilities. This phase was complete by October 2008, after which students were polled and a student focus group was created to implement changes based on student responses before the next phase began.
By Spring 2009, students’ request for flexibility and group study areas was taken into consideration and furniture delivered to the group study area of the Garden Level. Students had requested moveable tables and chairs, and received additional portable stations and erasable whiteboards as well to promoted group study.
Phase II – Summer 2009
Phase II started May 2009 with the construction of new ADA restrooms in the study area. An exterior entrance was added to access the walled Harvey Garden which opens to the library’s coffee shop.
The additional electrical outlets and wireless capabilities were completed in the computer access area. Desks and chairs were delivered and 100 existing computers moved from the old computer lab.
Phase – II b
The final phase for the new study area and computer lab included the purchase and delivery of sofas and soft bench seating, and group study clusters (seating partitions, flat screens, more dry-erase boards).
Through direct observation of use and placement for furniture (24 hours), and through polling of students using the area, it was determined that the library had provided a casual defined space with furniture that is functional, flexible and comfortable, capable of serving the different study habits and needs of all students.
Summary – Keyword - Accessibility
ReplyDeleteBefore renovating the old stacks area of the Garden Level, a lot of research, polling and tweaking was performed in order to satisfy the different needs of students coming to the library. The previous computer lab, though spacious, was set up in classroom rows and not compatible with the increased need for groups to gather around one computer screen. The new study area included group areas that could be changed to accommodate the type of group and projects they worked on. Furniture is in constant motion and adapts daily to the current user. Library blogs, student blogs, campus newspapers and regent reports all seem to reflect the positive impact the space has had.
I applaud the manner in which this renovation was conducted. Though much work was done behind “black plastic,” the majority of construction was carried out during summer and winter breaks with minimal disruption to student activity or access. The addition of new outdoor access, ADA restrooms and specialized furniture increased the comfort level of this floor dramatically. Other change that came of the renovation was the consolidation of the 2nd floor commons area and the new study area. Now the student worker help desk and check out desk (laptops) are both located on the Garden Level, eliminating previous confusion of where to go for computer assistance. Also the library security monitors and staff were relocated to this area since it was a 24 hour floor.
Obviously the word of the day for Moody Library is "accessibility." Though I have personally seen and observed the area and find it rather "unstructured", that seems to be what works for the students and it is very different than any other area on campus to date.
References
Crowson, M. February 12, 2010). Point of view: Peculiarities of Moody enhance college experience. Lariat Online, Retrieved from http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=68938
Libhart, T. April 17, 2009). Meeting the study needs of Baylor’s 21st century students. Access Newsletter, Retrieved from http://homepages.baylor.edu/access/2009/04/17/meeting-the-study-needs-of-baylors-21st-century-students/
Libhart, T. September 23, 2009). Phase II of Garden Level renovation completed over summer break. Access Newsletter, Retrieved from http://homepages.baylor.edu/access/2009/09/23/167/
Steely, J., Director. The library renovations blog. Message posted to http://homepages.baylor.edu/library_renovations/
The Academically Successful Bear. (2009). Studyarea library. Message posted to http://edc1200.blogspot.com/search/label/studyarea%20library
Other references
Tooey, M. J. (2010). Renovated, repurposed, and still "one sweet library": A case study on loss of space from the health sciences and human services library, University of Maryland, Baltimore Medical Library Association.
Vaska, M., Chan, R., & Powelson, S. (2009). Results of a user survey to determine needs for a health sciences library renovation. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 15(2), 219-234.
Seems like some really nice items and equipment was put into the library. The pics are nice to look at also to give a slight idea of how it looks. Thanks...
ReplyDeleteIt's great that the students are so positive about it and that work had minimal interruption.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that they managed to do some much physical reconstruction during the semester breaks. While this is a worthwhile project, it would have been unfair to make present students suffer for the future benefit.
ReplyDeleteWow sounds like a really beneficial and carefully planned renovation. I wonder, what was the final impetus for the changes, and where did the money come from? Was this instigated by library administrators based on research? Where they recipients of renovation grant?
ReplyDeleteThanks for including the Pics-Looks great!
It sounds like Moody has created some great user spaces. Changing the computer lab to allow gathering around a single screen is my favorite change for the average user. Are there still quiet, single user study areas? Maybe in an unrenovated space?
ReplyDeleteTo Expand on my summary....
ReplyDelete"Obviously the word of the day for Moody Library is "accessibility." Though I have personally seen and observed the area and find it rather "unstructured", that seems to be what works for the students and it is very different than any other area on campus to date....."
I hate to admit it but they are on the right track for the students. I miss the stacks and I want to constantly rearrange the furniture back into an organized position. But I guess that is the difference between this generation and mine. The students love the area and flock more to this floor than any other part of the library. They are asking more questions at the study area's help desk and getting good referrals to the the reference desk from the student workers if they can't help them. That seems to be a better alternative for the students than just going to the circulation desk which is often staffed by student workers not trained in that form of customer service.
They did do a good job in coordinating and scheduling the construction phases because they made a top priority starting at the bid process. There is a phase 3 coming this summer that pertains to relocating other support services close by so that all can benefit from the arrangement. We have even considered installing a reference desk staffed by a librarian at certain times of the day so that student don't have to go to another floor for reference help.
Using the student polls you mentioned helps the library to be user-centered in their renovation. Having a reference desk on every floor is probably a good idea too - lowers the barrier for students to ask questions. If they have to go to a different floor, they might decide to just say 'never mind'.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I think that most of your comments would have been better done as a second blog post instead of as comments.
It looks like they have done a great renovation. I particularly like that they listened to student requests and concerns and incorporated them into their plans. The reference point on every floor is a great idea; however, I wonder if they will have difficulty staffing it or if they were able to hire additional librarians to meet the added responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your wanting to straighten the rearranged furniture! But this sounds like it is much more user friendly than the straight line, organized study spaces that we are more used to. I also agree that a reference desk and library catalog computers on every floor would be a great addition. Was there any kind of study done for the color scheme or artwork? I really like the added access to the garden.
ReplyDeleteIt sort of hit me about the Moody Memorial Library newly constructed in 1967. I'm trying to imagine a library setting in 1967 and how the card catalog was beginning to " ride off into the sunset" for the coming dawn of computer terminals. To be able to plan and renovate a library that was built in the mid sixties into the technology needs of the 21 st century is a feat in good planning. It's the old theme of adapting ( sometimes painfully ) to change.
ReplyDeleteHector
Accessibility, openness and 24/7 are all concepts or features that drive usage and traffic.Those are aspects that will continue to prove its bringing a return on investment.
ReplyDeleteI like how the university carried out this renovation without major disruptions during the school year. Also involving faculty, staff, and students is a great way to find out how the people would like the library set up and arranged. It helps the renovators find out what other types of services the users would like to find or use in the library. This library is following the trend of openness and having technology accessibility.
ReplyDeleteThe 24/7 accessiblity is great. They really thought through and took into account what would have students using the space.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Liz Nebeker