Georgia's Five Little Acres :
Integrating Library and Classroom Functions
in the New Student Learning Center at the University of Georgia
William Gray Potter
University Librarian and Associate Provost
University of Georgia
The Student Learning Center at the University of Georgia blends general
classrooms with a library facility to provide a new level of integration
of these functions. Within its 236,000 square feet, the building offers
2,200 seats in 26 general classrooms and 2,400 library seats. The library
areas feature 500 workstations, a pervasive wireless network, 96 group
study rooms, a traditional reading room, 4 instructional classrooms,
soft seating, Moser furniture, and a coffee house. The blend of classroom
and library functions has proven to be extremely popular with students
since the building opened in August 2003. The building is operated as
a partnership of the library, computing services, and instructional
services.
This briefing will describe the building and its context,
explore how expectations have meshed with actual experience, discuss
the success of the partnership, and list some lessons learned. It is
hoped that the presentation will lead to a discussion of directions
in building design for libraries, classrooms, computer labs, and related
facilities.
Web Link:
http://www.slc.uga.edu
Handout:
The
Library as Place:
The Student Learning Center at the University of Georgia
Presentation:
The Student
Learning Center (PPT)