What is an Information Commons?
An information commons is space devoted to the creation and exchange of ideas. It consists of both physical spaces and user services that support innovative teaching and learning.
McEntegart Library will be renovating the first floor to provide
collaborative work spaces for students, faculty, and staff.
The plan consists of 4 kinds of spaces:
- Three Group Study Rooms
- A Study Lounge
- A Faculty Resource Center
- A Tech Deck (Computer Lab and Classroom)
What's New
Group Study Rooms
McEntegart Library has built three group study rooms, accommodating up to six people each. The rooms are semi-soundproof and come equipped with a white board wall, electrical outlets, and a 55" LED HDTV with video (HDMI/VGA) and audio input.
Reserve a GSR now.Study Lounge
Eight armchairs with tablet arm rests are in this informal area behind the first floor stacks. Gather here to work, relax and talk. The wifi enabled area is designed to foster discussion between patrons.
Please be aware that the library's No Food or Drink (except bottled water) Policy applies to all areas in the Information Commons.
Faculty Resource Center
The Faculty Resource Center will provide our teachers with a meeting space midway between the office and the classroom. The Center is outfitted with two computer workstations, a large monitor and videoconferencing equipment. In addition, it is stocked with a collection of faculty publications and education literature. This space is designed to integrate technology and teaching.
Tech Deck
Our plans for a Tech Deck are based on the very successful Tech Deck at the University of Michigan Library. This computer lab is designed to meet the growing technological needs of patrons and facilitate collaborative work. It will provide a semi-soundproof area for group work with more than 8 participants. Our version of the Tech Deck will also serve as a classroom for instruction.
Take a look at Tech Decks at other libraries.
Reserving a room
Library patrons may reserve a Group Study Room online at http://rich75.com/sjcny/. First time users must register here first. Once registered, users can login by entering their email and password and selecting "Library - Brooklyn Campus" in the Choose a Schedule field.
Patrons may also visit the Circulation Desk to check out laptops, netbooks , cables and white board materials for use in the Group Study Rooms.
Please be sure to review the Group Study Room Policies and Procedures, Computer Loan Policy and Reservation Brochure (PDF) before your visit.
If there are any questions please call the library at 718-940-5880 or see a librarian at the Reference Desk.
Patrons may also visit the Circulation Desk to check out laptops, netbooks , cables and white board materials for use in the Group Study Rooms.
Please be sure to review the Group Study Room Policies and Procedures, Computer Loan Policy and Reservation Brochure (PDF) before your visit.
If there are any questions please call the library at 718-940-5880 or see a librarian at the Reference Desk.
Special thanks to the libraries that have inspired this project. To learn more about other Information Commons, please check out the InfoCommons and Beyond blog as well as sites for the following institutions:
- Brooklyn College
- Brigham Young University
- Columbia University
- Drexel University
- Marquette University
- Princeton University
- Rutgers University
- Stony Brook University
- Temple University
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Utah
- Utah Valley University
- Yale University
