AARL

Challenge, stimulation and ultimate fulfilment: the development of the information services building at the University of Otago 1993-2002

Michael Wooliscroft
michael.wooliscroft@library.otago.ac.nz.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address).

Abstract: This article focuses on the planning for the Information Services Building (ISB) at the University of Otago. The ISB houses the Central Library and a range of student services. The university has created a library-plus or a more-than-library which is already achieving international renown with study parties from several continents.

This account presents two intertwined themes. One concerns the planning process: identification of the need, deciding how to address it, obtaining the university's support and progress towards a successful realisation. The other theme describes the development of a new vision of academic library service, exploiting new digital resources alongside strong print collections (including heritage ones) and integration with other student services.

Library staff realise that they are now into a new phase of the development, taking advantage of the functionally efficient, comfortable and attractive new spaces in order to develop further the synergies possible with staff of other units providing student services within the ISB.

[Full-text]