8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

1. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon Learning From Our StudentsxWhat They Can Teach Us About Library Spaces, Services, and Research Practices

2. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon The Project • Overall objectives • Learn Participatory Design methods to learn about student work practices and needs • Answer questions about building renovation and construction • Support development of academic programs and services

3. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon The Project • Three sites • American University of Central Asia • American University of Nigeria • John Cabot University

4. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon The Sites • Many similarities • Size of student body • Not enough library space • Students’ academic challenges • Some differences • Urban/rural • Europe/Asia/Africa • Infrastructure

5. Traditional Design 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon Experts decide what to build and how to build it Only “some experts” participate – for example, architects and engineers These experts assume they know what is best for everyone

6. Traditional Design 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon • What happens when only some experts participate in design and development? • The things they build may not work in the local context • They may base their designs on faulty assumptions

7. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon

8. Participatory Design 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon • Everyone participates in designing the space or services facilitated by a social scientist: • Architects participate as experts in designing the building • Engineers participate as experts in constructing the building • Students participate as experts in how students will learn in the building • Others participate in their areas of expertise

9. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon Participatory Design • Methods of participation • Observations • Interviewing • Design workshops • Photos, maps, and more

10. 8th AMICAL Conference April 27 – 30, 2011 Beirut, Lebanon Today’s Session • Presentations from each of the three sites • American University of Nigeria • American University of Central Asia • John Cabot University • General significance and value • Q&A

11. American University of NigeriaYola, Nigeria