Please join us on Wednesday, July 30th at 10:00am in the Class of ’47 for to discuss recent research by Steelcase on the future of academic library spaces.  Their white paper, describes their work below. If you are able to join us, please RSVP to Kristen Jones.

“Libraries are the preeminent icons of higher education. Leafy quadrangles, clock towers, and stadiums may star on the college home pages, but it’s the library that captures the academic heart of campus, both symbolically and physically. While information can be obtained from virtually anywhere, the library remains the only central location where new information technologies can be combined with traditional knowledge sources to support the social and
educational patterns of learning, teaching and research.

But if the library is to continue its pivotal role in the college learning experience, it needs to evolve to meet changing pedagogies and learning modes, and the evolving needs of students and instructors.

In the Spring of 2009, Steelcase initiated a major study of libraries at colleges and universities. This effort, along with our research of higher education over the last several years, has allowed us to develop a set of findings and insights about libraries, and new innovative designs for 21st century library spaces that we would like to share with you.”