Academic libraries support the research and educational activities of higher institutions through the sharing of information. However, today’s method of sharing information is constantly evolving. Because of changing technology, academic libraries struggle to meet the needs of their many stakeholders. The challenge they face is finding the balance between housing information while creating spaces conducive to today’s learners. Part I of this two-part article addressed how to find the library’s purpose in today’s learning environment, while Part II covers how to create spaces that include all stakeholders in any renovation or new design of an academic library.

Key Stakeholders

Originally, a library’s first design was based on the technology, study habits and research methodologies of the time. As these elements continue to change, so, too, must the library to remain a relevant contributor to campus life. For this reason, discussions about redefining and redesigning a library need to include and encourage participation from those who use the library, including faculty, staff, students and external community members and program sponsors.

In 2012, with this framework in mind, the library at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in Ohio underwent a renovation. During the planning of this renovation, key stakeholders were asked to participate in focus groups, surveys and one-on-ones to provide input into the redesign. “Our goal was to make the building accessible to these diverse groups for all their unique needs,” said Bruce Massis, director of libraries for CSCC.

In the process, CSCC officials discovered the stakeholders wanted a combination of technology and quiet study areas, so ultimately the library was renovated to accommodate this mix.

On the other hand, not all stakeholder requests can (or should) be honored. Claremont Colleges Library in California discovered during its shared vision exercises that students wanted exercise equipment and locker rooms with showers in the library. “That’s a bit of a stretch,” said Rebecca Lubas, associate dean, Claremont Colleges Library. “We didn’t completely ignore that suggestion though. We have a treadmill standing desk, and it’s enormously popular.”

Strike a Balance

One of the biggest challenges in designing or redesigning academic libraries is determining how much of the current collection will remain on the library floor. The importance of the browsing experience should be weighed with the value of the space occupied by rarely circulated books. While many alternatives exist for storing older resources, it is important to consider the desires of faculty who may oppose removing books.

“We go to the faculty first and tell them we’re considering removing these books from the shelves. Sometimes we keep the older material on the shelf because they still want it,” said Massis.

Current technology may alleviate some of these issues. Because CSCC is a member of Ohio’s Academic Library Consortium, OhioLINK, its students and faculty have access to a larger number of books and electronic resources than what CSCC can offer at its library.

Ultimately, the solution lies in the library’s intrinsic qualities and how it serves its key stakeholders. “It’s a matter of meeting expectations and recognizing that expectations will change over time,” said Tonya Fawcett, director of library services at Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind. “When you come into a library, you expect to see books. You expect to have librarians to help you find the resources you’re looking for and help you understand how to use those resources. And you expect to have a comfortable place to go to be able to interact with those resources.”

Leadership’s Role

Two additional groups of stakeholders need to be included in an academic library design or renovation. The first is the college administartors. Their role is to analyze the institution’s mission and vision to determine the library’s specific intent. For example, if the library is supposed to be more student-friendly than scholarly, the purpose of the library becomes more social. This core purpose is then translated into the library’s physical space through more group and collaboration areas.

The final group of stakeholders is the library staff leadership — those responsible for taking the lead in creating and sustaining an academic library’s mission. “Whatever the program is, what’s the end goal? Are we supporting students in their studying? Are we supporting faculty to improve their teaching or assist their latest research searches? We need to keep our eyes on the academic mission of the institution and make sure the library supports that mission,” said Lubas.

By ensuring the mission is reinforced in meaningful ways through technology advances and how people interact, academic library leadership can balance the requirements of all stakeholders.

Tom Sens is a client leader on the Higher Education team at BHDP Architecture. For more information, visit BHDP.com or call 513 271-1634.

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Historically, the library has been the central information resource and academic heart for scholarly activity on college campuses. In that capacity, it is considered a valuable academic asset. Yet, due in large part to the digital revolution, the library’s role has shifted to accommodate the needs of today’s learners. In the process, some campus libraries now house non-academic services such as dry-cleaners, cafes, spirit shops and other non-academic functions. But, are these new uses in the best interest of the university? Without a vision and strategic plan, the library is at risk of becoming a “catch-all” building.

Evolution of Academic Libraries

The role of the library as a resource to assist people in accessing information has not changed through the ages. What has changed is how that information is shared, from verbal storytelling among scholars to written information on papyrus scrolls, many of which were stored in one of the first academic libraries — the ancient Alexandria Library. Eventually, scholars switched to parchment and then paper as the preferred method for recording information. This meant academic libraries had to transform to properly store and display books instead of scrolls. Today, libraries are undergoing other modifications as digitally recorded information becomes the norm.

At the same time, the research and study habits of students are changing. Traditionally, libraries were outfitted to accommodate quiet, individual studying through separate study carrels and rooms. Now, students are engaging in more teamwork to prepare them for working together as part of bigger units in their future careers. There still is the desire to have quiet study, but students want flexibility to choose to study individually, study alone together or study as a team in small groups at their libraries.

Are Libraries “Catch-All” Buildings?

A “catch-all” building is one that incorporates multiple purposes and uses. In the case of the library, the evolution of shared technology partnered with the needs of the library’s stakeholders is contributing to several academic libraries turning into “catch-all” buildings. In some instances, the reason for the evolution is due to a lack of resources, funding or available space. At other institutions, it is a matter of convenience since the library is a central facility on campus.

In addressing the redesign of the library of the Claremont Colleges in California, Associate Dean Rebecca Lubas said, “One of the concerns throughout our planning process was that the library doesn’t become a catch-all. It’s important that anything we’re doing to serve the needs of students and faculty must align with and support our academic program.”

Lubas also noted that the library has an important responsibility as the resource supporting and promoting an institution’s unique mission and vision. To do so, the library needs to be designed to fulfill a unique purpose, rather than serving all purposes.

Defining the Library’s Distinctive Purpose

Determining a library’s unique function starts with identifying its intrinsic qualities and value proposition. The Claremont Colleges Library serves seven institutions. “Since we are a center for the seven colleges to come together, a lot of collaboration occurs within our library, whether it’s a group study project or creative endeavors between students on campuses,” Lubas said. “It’s more than a place to quietly study. It’s a place that allows for the creative aspects of the research process to happen.”

Similarly, Bruce Massis, director of libraries at Columbus State Community College in Ohio, sees the library as the center of the academic community on a campus. “We’re here for students, faculty, administration and staff. The academic library has evolved into a space that’s a combination of where you can find modern technology or a quiet study space to read,” said Massis.

It is also important to prepare the library’s purpose for the future by being aware of the latest ways of learning, including innovations with virtual reality. “If we’re going to future proof, we must be willing to change the ways of delivering information and resources in our libraries,” said Tonya Fawcett, director of library services at Grace College and Seminary in Indiana.

Preparing for the future means involving students and leadership in library designs and renovations. “By asking the right questions, we can find out what students and faculty need in their research and study environments,” added Fawcett.

Serving Stakeholders

The universal purpose of any library is to be a resource that assists people to access and share information to become better-informed citizens. Traditional public libraries serve the general public and may be more appropriate places to find non-academic functions. On the other hand, the research focus of academic libraries means that it has an exclusive purpose, based on the mission and vision of its institution. Determining the library’s role requires broad stakeholder input to rethink the library’s mission and how it will serve students and faculty into the future.

Tom Sens is a client leader on the higher education team at BHDP Architecture, an international design firm that focuses on creating innovative environments and experiences tailored to the client culture and work process.

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