Library and Study Space

The assessment shows a need for decentralized study and collaboration spaces throughout campus. This type of space is needed in each academic and research building to support modern pedagogies and research environments. It creates “sticky” space environments where students can work together, students and faculty can meet outside of class times, and faculty can informally meet with each other. Complementing dispersed clusters of general purpose resources, other more specialized resources require a strategic approach to create shared centralized hubs. The campus’ approach to makerspaces, for example, embodies a centralized approach for specialized resources and should continue to be used as the demand for these types of spaces grows.

Embedding specialized libraries within the departments offers advantages, primarily related to proximity of main users. The University has successfully centralized some departmental libraries in the past, but plans to centralize further will need to be carefully considered with buy-in from users. The libraries continue to add book volumes across campus, and compact shelving has been used to expand storage capacity, while minimizing the collection footprint where possible with notable physical limitations in the Law and Davis Libraries. There is a need for decentralized collaboration and study areas that are not contained within any of the formal libraries.