An Information Commons update
October 2007
The fall semester is well underway and the construction of our Information Commons continues at a rapid pace as we approach the dedication ceremony on December 7. On that day the building will be open for visitors to see the marvelous new facility that will be the academic center of our campus beginning January 14, 2008.
In addition to great progress on the construction of the IC over the summer and into the early fall, we hired a highly-qualified, enthusiastic person to head up this new facility. I am very pleased to announce that Ms. Leslie Haas accepted our invitation to be the Director of the Information Commons and began work on August 21. Leslie was most recently Head of Reference at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She hit the ground running and has undertaken a long list of things that must be accomplished before we open in January. This includes chairing the IC management team, developing policies and procedures, writing job descriptions for staff and student workers, creating training programs, and a myriad of other tasks. Because the IC is a collaborative effort with Information Technology Services, Leslie is working closely with key members of that department to accomplish many of the aforementioned tasks.
As the dedication and opening of the building approach, we are already thinking about its future. In particular, the University Libraries and ITS will be working together to transform the Information Commons into a Learning Commons, a place where library resources, technology, and the curriculum converge. The Learning Commons emphasizes the role the library plays in the academic mission of the University and seeks to develop close partnerships with faculty to enhance courses with library research modules, better utilize technology tools to strengthen both teaching and learning, and create an environment where students turn information into knowledge. It is an exciting prospect and one which we embrace with great enthusiasm. It is often said that the library is the heart of a university and the Learning Commons model truly makes that happen.
I wish to thank all the staff of the Library and ITS who have been involved in the Information Commons project for their hard work and dedication over the past two years. We have taken President Garanzini’s vision of a modern, student-centered library facility and made it a reality. Join us on December 7 for the ribbon-cutting and a tour of the finest library building in the city of Chicago and the region!
Bob Seal, Dean of Libraries
Bob Seal & IC Director, Leslie Haas |
