CAMPUS RENEWAL PROJECT
LIBRARY
IT’S ALL ABOUT COLLABORATION: CREATING A HUB OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE The library at St. Jerome’s University has long been a catalyst for inquiry and learning. But as education and research trends continue to evolve, it too must keep up with the times. According to Zack MacDonald, the librarian facilitating the library renewal, building a collaborative research and learning hub is the main focus of plans to expand and renovate the space. A needs assessment and initial concept have been drawn up, a design concept is in progress, and it is hoped that work on the existing space will begin by summer 2018. “We know where we need to go, but what the new space ultimately looks like will be decided over the coming year,” MacDonald says. The goal is to transform the library into something more in line with evolving trends in teaching and learning.
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“It’s not the classroom or their residence room, it’s that third place where people can come together to break down barriers,” MacDonald says. “Collaboration and social learning spaces are two areas that the library is currently lacking in, and those types of spaces are definitely a priority for the new space.”
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ST. JEROME’S UNIVERSITY
As part of the overall campus renewal, the plan is to expand the library into the second floor of the Classrooms and Library Building. The goal is to improve the student experience in two ways: foster collaboration and allow for better service. “We’re hoping to give students the tools to look at their academic pursuits in different ways,” MacDonald says. “We want to get them to think more creatively about how they’re engaging in their course work. To do this, we want to create flexible, comfortable, and diverse study spaces that foster more collaboration and creativity.” “We are also looking to redesign our service points with a big focus on accessibility and more of a streamlined approach. We’re looking to get our library staff more engaged with library users, getting out from behind the traditional reference desk and really working on our outreach and programming.” Because we’re a small library, students can interact with staff on a very personal level. Being able to enhance that is the goal - to be able to bring our expertise to them.”