As a Library Advisory Board member, Sandra Cawley believes that in today’s academic libraries are catalysts for change—change that physically transforms learning spaces, the research process, and the information available to students. “Libraries need to anticipate and be proactive in helping navigate the student experience, “she said recently in a phone interview.
Cawley is a big believer in student focused learning—so much so that she recently shifted the focus of her giving to reflect investing in peer-to-peer learning. Having toured the Chapman Learning Commons at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, she was struck by the space created for student collaboration and the camaraderie and energy of students connecting with each other and with experts.
For Cawley, a UBC BComm alumna, the Library is the main hive of activity on any campus. She adds that libraries represent intersections for undergraduate students to intermingle with their peers in an interdisciplinary environment, sparking intellectual curiosity and conversations.
And with e-learning platforms and technological changes occurring so rapidly, today’s wired students need abundant tutorials and instructional support.
“Libraries are evolving to facilitate a more holistic way of learning for students,” she reflected, adding that students benefit not only from the breadth of information, articles, periodicals and books and the friendly expertise of library staff but also from the various personal development programs offered at the Library, such as coaching and tutoring.
To find out more about how students benefit from the Library’s Learning Commons, please visit learningcommons.ubc.ca.
This story originally appeared in the 2013 Friends newsletter.