Common(s) Wisdom:� Ohio University’s Faculty Commons

Presentation by Jan Maxwell (Ohio University Library, Assistant Dean, Collections & Access) as part of a program called "Common(s) Wisdom: Designing Graduate and Faculty Spaces that Work". Program was hosted by LLAMA - BES at the ALA Annual 2010 conference.

If you build it, will they come? Does the concept of a separate "Research" or "Scholarly" Commons meet identified needs? Is there a sure-fire mix of research and teaching support spaces guaranteed to meet the demands of this vital (and vocal) group? What are the challenges in designing and living in these facilities? Learn how two libraries are enhancing the scholar’s experience. Come away with proven ideas to use in your own library.

1. Common(s) Wisdom: Ohio University’s Faculty Commons Jan Maxwell Assistant Dean, Collections & Access Ohio University

2. Ohio University Located in Athens, Ohio Established 1804 20,000+ students  1000+ full-time faculty 5 regional campuses Carnegie classification: Research Universities (high research activity)

3. Ohio University Libraries Vernon R. Alden Library – 7 floors 2 branch libraries and remote storage 89 full-time staff, 3M volumes ARL member since 1996 Learning Commons opened 2004 Faculty Commons opened 2007

4. Faculty Commons Key Players University Libraries Center for Academic Technology (CAT ) Center Teaching and Learning (CTL) Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) DesignGroup of Columbus OH, architects for master plan

5. Original Goal: Better space for CAT, CTL and CWE Concept: Faculty Commons as analogous and complementary to Learning Commons

6. Faculty Commons entry entry Learning Commons Customer Service Stacks Archives/ Special Collections

7. Third Floor

8. Expanded Goals Better space for CAT, CTL and CWE One-stop shopping for faculty

9. Planned Faculty Commons Units University Libraries AD, Collections & Access Media Production Center for Academic Technology (CAT) Center Teaching and Learning (CTL) Center for Writing Excellence (CWE)

10. One-stop shopping? Other services we considered: Reserves Assistance with Blackboard Interlibrary Loan Grant-writing assistance Statistical assistance

11. Expanded goals Display space for faculty research and creative activity

12. Expanded Goals Better space for CAT, CTL and CWE One-stop shopping for faculty Display space for faculty research and creative activity Faculty Club atmosphere

13. Learning Commons Faculty Commons

14. FRIENDS ROOM HERE

15. Goals and Outcomes Pre-construction goals: Relocate CAT, CTL, CWE to high visibility venue Provide one-stop shopping for faculty services Create ‘faculty club’ space Showcase faculty research Outcomes: Primary venue for faculty development programs Faculty Club atmosphere: somewhat Faculty research showcase: didn’t happen

16. Faculty Commons Units Year One: University Libraries AD, Collections & Access Media Production Center for Academic Technology (CAT) Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Center for Writing Excellence (CWE) Campus-Community Engagement Year Two: University Libraries AD, Collections & Access Media Production CAT (leadership change) CTL (reduced staffing) CWE Campus-Community Engagement (reduced staffing)

17. Faculty Commons Units Year Three: University Libraries Assistant Deans for Collections & Access, Research & Education Services CAT (interim director) CTL (reduced staffing and operating budget) CWE (reduced staffing) Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) and Director of Fulbright Programs Beginning Year Four: University Libraries Assistant Deans for Collections & Access, Research & Education Services CAT (2 nd interim director) CTL (staffing and operating budget reduced further) CWE (reduced staffing) ONCA and Director of Fulbright Programs

18. Some surprises Differences in work cultures among the units were greater than anticipated Summer is the busiest season The conference room specifically designed as creative space is the least popular Students do not wander in, even when there is no seating available elsewhere in the building

19. Things to think about if you are planning a faculty commons Can you truly have one-stop shopping? Leadership and reporting lines Operating budget What will success look like? Design flexibility

20. QUESTIONS? EMAIL ADDRESSES Jan Maxwell: [email protected]