UMass Amherst Celebrates Expansion of Ever-Popular Learning Commons at University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Library

Feb. 8, 2010

Contact:

Wesley Blixt 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst is celebrating a major expansion of its W.E.B. Du Bois Library Learning Commons, where students have access to research tools and assistance, academic advising, tutoring and writing assistance — all in a comfortable, high-tech environment that fosters small group interaction.

The expansion of the acclaimed facility includes:

• a 20-percent increase in the size of the Learning Commons, to about 30,000 square feet

• a 60-percent boost in seating, from 250 to 450

• eight new group study rooms, bringing to 26 the total number of glass cubicles where students can work together without disturbing their library neighbors.

Overall, the Learning Commons houses more than 200 multipurpose work stations equipped with PCs and Macs, and more than 400 ports for connecting to the campus network and the Internet. There are specially equipped Mac workstations for multi-media production and editing, as well as a high-quality large format poster printer. Students have access to online lecture notes and course material. Librarians stand ready to offer assistance in specific academic areas, or to steer students toward the Writing Center or Academic Advising. Like the rest of the Library, the Learning Commons offers full wireless access, and Office of Information Technologies support is available onsite.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert C. Holub and Provost James V. Staros joined Libraries Director Jay Schafer and other members of the campus community for a celebration of the expansion today.

The Learning Commons became an immediate hit when it was opened in 2005. The project caught the attention of Microsoft Corp., which designated UMass Amherst as its first Microsoft IT Showcase School, and then donated $600,000 in software to give the expansion a boost.

Schafer calls the impact of the Learning Commons on the academic life of many students “nothing less than dramatic.”

“This is a groundbreaking approach,” he said. “We have been able to tap the latest technology to shape an environment in which students have convenient access to information, and a space where they are able to work together and to consult with faculty and staff in ways that allow them to thrive intellectually and creatively.”

If the Learning Commons has helped change the way students study, the students themselves have helped play a role in changing the library environment and the role of librarians, noted Learning Commons coordinator Carol Will. There was a time not long ago, she recalled, when food and beverages were not allowed in the Library, and the staff would have to cruise the stacks enforcing such rules.

“You’ll notice this is not a really quiet space now. We want people to be able to talk and work together and collaborate,” she said, adding that this allows staff to be available to offer help in everything from specific academic areas to the use of new technology.

Most important, perhaps, Will added, is that the Learning Commons encourages staff and student employees alike to be on the lookout — not for eating or bad behavior — but for those in need of direction, support or information.

“Everyone has to be on the lookout for people who look lost or hesitant. We welcome questions and we want to help. We have new users in here every day, and we never tire of the questions,” she said.

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