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Digital Social Science Center: an Information Commons for Graduate Social Science Students. Mary Giunta Head, Access Services & Technical Support, Lehman Library Jane Winland Director, Social Science Libraries
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Digital Social Science Center:an Information Commons for Graduate Social Science Students Mary Giunta Head, Access Services & Technical Support, Lehman Library Jane Winland Director, Social Science Libraries Space 2.0: Small-Scale Library Redesign ProjectsOctober 3, 2008Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries
Information Commons at Columbia University Libraries • University Librarian’s vision - information commons for: • Social Sciences • History & Humanities • Sciences & Engineering
Planning for the Digital Social Science Center • Location • Project plan • Assessment • Equipment • Services & staffing • Program planning
Location • East Reading Room over 5000 square feet • Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) lab in this space already • Electronic Data Service directly below with a connecting staircase • Reference offices adjacent • Good lighting
Electronic Data Service • Supports instruction and research that involve numeric and geo-spatial data resources. • Staff to provide support in the use of data with statistical and GIS applications • Service staffed by library staff and CUIT staff • High-end computers for processing large data sets • Equipment supplied and maintained by CUIT
Electronic Data Service • Joint venture between Libraries and CUIT • EDS model for DSSC • Staffing / service • Equipment • Software
Project Plan • Program team assembled • Included various stakeholders • Libraries • CUIT • Finalize physical, equipment & staffing designs
Assessment • Student survey • Focus groups • Faculty interviews • Lehman reference staff discussion
Assessment: what we learned • More group study space • Scanning & printing are important • Presentation practice space • Quantitative data analysis software • Bibliographic software
Assessment: what we learned • Need to market our services better • Faculty not expecting students to use very sophisticated technology for assignments • Students go to peers and faculty for research & technology help before librarians
Assessment: how we applied results • Added presentation practice rooms • Added more scanners • Will moved color printer into CUIT / DSSC space • Decided to place the information / reference desk in the consultation room • LCD panels with group study tables in DSSC • Developing marketing strategies
DSSC Objectives • Flexible workspaces, furnishings, diverse software, and high-end equipment to support collaborative group study and research in the Social Sciences • Visible and easy access to professional staff who can assist users with research and technical support questions • Space, equipment, and software to support presentation practice • Integrate DSSC into the services and equipment now offered by Electronic Data Service and CUIT lab.
Cost Estimates & Budgets • Renovation • Construction • Furniture • Equipment • Staff
Renovation • Moved Government Documents & microfilm collections • Refurbished space • Converted office space into a consultation room. Opened it up with a glass wall • Created two presentation practice spaces
DSSC Furniture • Herman Miller • Collaborative Design • Multiple chairs per desk • Convenient electrical access • Convenient network access
DSSC Equipment • 22 Collaborative Workspaces - modular, open, accessible, attractive • Presentation Practice Space - 4-6 people with projection, technology • 4 Group Study Tables - large displays, laptop support • Consultation Space - 2 consulting spaces in enclosed office
DSSC Collaborative Workspaces • 22 Spatial Data/Numeric Stations • Dell Precision T5400 stations with 30” LCD or dual 24” LCD • ArcInfo/ESRI, Stata, Google Earth Pro, more • Assistive technology (ADA) support • 5 Scanners • Four 8.5x14” with document feeder • One 11x17” oversized with document feeder • Abby FineReader software • 4 Video Editing Stations (existing lab locations) • Apple Mac Pro, two 23” Cinema Displays • Final Cut Pro Studio, Logic 8
Services & Staffing • Building on EDS model of service • Staff visible • Staff with different expertise available • Librarians • CUIT staff • Graduate students • Reassigning and retraining staff
Consultation Room • Staffed • Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm • Friday 11am-5pm • Support staff • Provide basic information assistance • Walkie-talkie to call librarian • Librarians
Staff Training • Refreshers for all staff • Key databases • Key resources • Shared documentation with supervisor of CUIT lab • Documentation for DSSC • CUIT documentation for lab attendants
DSSC Program • Reference Services • Consultations • Training & Workshops • DSSC Webpage • Marketing Services • Assessment