2004 A task force consisting of faculty from the Purdue University Libraries, the Krannert School of Management, and the Dept. of Agricultural Economics is formed to evaluate the Management & Economics Library. The task fore conducts a survey of students and faculty, meets with focus groups, and visits several other recently renovated academic business libraries. The task force identifies that the Management & Economics Library needs to be renovated to be more student-focused and to adapt the needs of the changing business information environment.
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MEL Renovation e-poster: Background
MEL Renovation e-poster: Challenge
Challenge: The information collected in the surveys and focus groups shed light on the different needs of the students from a library space. There was an almost equal demand for more team space vs more quiet study space. The surveys and focus groups also showed that students wanted a location where they could be seen by their friends, so the social aspect was important. We found evidence during our visits to other campuses that this concept was true there as well. Our challenge was to design a space that would cater to these competing demands while still providing quality reference service and instruction throughout the academic year.
Our solution in the design of the renovated MEL space was to create distinct zones for activity and interaction. Each zone will focus on a a specific need; quiet study, learning, collaboration, multi-media development, and gathering socially. The zones will allow a flexible flow of traffic and activities throughout the space. The Management & Economics Library space will be dedicated to student learning and interaction.
The initial results can be seen in the Renderings section within this e-poster. The renderings are of the Corporate Quiet Study, Learn Lab, and the Gathering Area & Coffee Kiosk. The actual results will not be known until each phase of the renovation is complete and we can assess the student usage of each zone.
Creating a user-centered library can be accomplished by gathering information through surveys, focus groups, and comparisons to other projects. Creativity and flexibility can then be brought to bear in the actual design to create a space that is functional for the variety of needs and roles that a modern library is capable of providing for the students of today and in the future.
About this e-poster: Author: Hal Kirkwood Libraries Staff involved: Tomalee Doan, Hal Kirkwood, JP Herubel (2004 Task Force), Alex Macklin (2004 Task Force), Nancy Hewison, Judy Shoemaker, Brad Heiss, Dale White.
MEL Renovation e-poster