Last week the Library hosted Madeleine Lefebvre, Chief Librarian at Ryerson University.
Lefebvre presented an insightful overview of how Ryerson built their new Student Learning Centre, a transformative space next to the old Library. The Learning Centre was designed by Snøhetta and Zeidler Partnership Architects and officially opened in February 2015.
Ryerson’s Learning Centre features expanded study space, video conferencing and event space, student learning services and spaces for graduate students. One of it’s key features is a Digital Media Experience Lab where students can explore new technologies like 3D printers and Arduino robots, and learn new software for video and photo editing and physical computing. With eight floors, the Learning Centre can accommodate over two thousand students in any given day.
Exterior of the Student Learning Centre. Photo credit: Ryerson University.
Lefebvre was previously Director of Library Services at Mount Royal College, where she oversaw the creation of the City Centre Campus Library in downtown Calgary. Throughout her career, she has been interested in library spaces.
She currently serves on the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Standing Committee for Library Buildings and Equipment, and is a past president of the Canadian Library Association (CLA).