Construction on the third level of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre is now complete!
Last fall IKBLC began construction to create a one-stop service point for users. The space opened during the first week of March.
The new “multi-service desk” offers support for checking out books and answering reference questions, and features IT support – all from one desk. In addition, self-checkout machines have been added to ease the flow of traffic.
The refurbished space also includes new pavilions for the Writing Centre, AMS Tutoring and Peer Academic Coaching. “At any point, any student from any faculty and any academic year can come and speak to any of our student-volunteer coaches,” says Teri Grant, the Student Development Coordinator who oversees the Coaches Corner program.
“It offers improved space for our programming partners,” says Simon Neame, Director of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. He added that the new spaces are more flexible and allow for collaborative work.
Access to the Library is now available via the third level entrance.
For questions about the project, please visit the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre’s website or contact Gordon Yusko, Assistant Director.
Hi,
I am really happy with the new learning centre, but I would like to suggest a possibility that would make it more useful for students. As you many of you are aware, during lunch hours and generally in the afternoons, Irving library is really crowded. It’s nearly impossible to find a place to sit down and get some studying done. The learning areas are great and all, but they take away much of the floor space, especially when they are not in use (ie during 12-3pm) It would be much better if student were allowed to study in there when the tutors aren’t there yet. Or even make it like silent study space where tutors and still teach, and other students can still have a place to study.
Thank you for your feedback regarding the new tutoring and coaching pavilions. These pavilions were built as dedicated spaces for AMS Tutoring, the Writing Centre and Coaches Corner. While the spaces take up a fairly large footprint on Level 3, great efforts have been made by the IKBLC management team to ensure there is no overall loss in seating in the Learning Centre. Also, the pavilions will be open for study in December, April and during the summer months when the tutoring and coaching programs are not offering services.
Prior to the renovation, the tutoring and coaching services had been offered on open study tables in IKBLC. Each day, the tutors and coaches would need to displace students from study tables to offer their services. In many cases, they arrived to find there were not enough tables or chairs to accommodate their programs. This resulted in daily frustration for the 90 student leaders offering these services, not to mention the students seeking tutoring and learning support. Building the dedicated tutoring and coaching spaces supports these student-led learning support programs and the more than 10,000 students they serve each year.
Again, thanks for your feedback, and I hope this information is helpful.
Julie Mitchell
Managing Librarian, Chapman Learning Commons