ALIA West

July 2005

Curtin opens lounge @ your library

On Tuesday 28 June Curtin's library and information service launched its new lounge @ your library. The lounge is designed to enhance the learning experiences of students by providing an informal social space that encourages student interaction and the building of the Curtin community.

Whereas once libraries operated largely on a storehouse model, Curtin is embracing the concept of the information commons. In the electronic age library spaces and user expectations have changed considerably. No longer are libraries just the place to access print collections of books and journals. The emphasis is now on the library as a place for social and individual learning experiences with dedicated spaces supporting a high tech learning environment with computer workstations, wireless internet access, group study areas, individual silent study areas, and informal lounge areas.

At the opening of the lounge @ your library vice chancellor Lance Twomey said 'Curtin cares about its students and the quality of their educational experiences, and aims to equip them to succeed in their studies by providing quality facilities such as the lounge'.

Curtin Vice Chancellor Lance Twomey opens lounge

Some of the features of the lounge @ your library are:

• a plasma TV with various news feeds
• a selection of foreign and local newspapers
• comfortable and mobile modular furniture
• a kitchenette
• a group study room
• group study booths with workstations
• vending machines

and eating and drinking is allowed.

The lounge @ your library has already proved a great success with students. Everyday the lounge is heavily populated with students making the most of the new social learning environment. In a recent survey of Curtin students and staff the library received many positive comments about the new lounge. The following are representative of the feedback received - 'Keep up the good work! The lounge area is real innovative and I like the atmosphere!' and 'The student lounge is a great idea. Thank you for including a nice, practical area for students to meet, use the computers and still have lunch'.

Future plans for the library include providing an integrated service desk, comfortable time-out spaces for quiet work, more silent study areas and a wired laptop area. The challenge ahead is nicely illustrated by the following student feedback - 'the facilities in the lounge are excellent, but we need more of them!'.

Curtin's lounge @ your library

James Butterfield, public programs co-ordinator, library and information service, Curtin University of Technology