Hunt Library's Designs for Teaching and Learning: Radically Student-Centered Design and the New Learning Commons

Grand Valley State University embraced a radical new vision when it designed its new library, which opened in June 2013. At its core was the intention to create a learning and information commons that: (1) aligned with students' preferred learning environments, (2) allowed students to manage their own learning, and (3) engaged students in serendipitous moments of learning and discovery. Among the features of the new library is the Technology Showcase, where students and faculty come together to discover, interact, share, and learn how innovative emerging technologies can transform teaching and learning.

North Carolina State University opened its second main library, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, in January 2013, which features large open spaces and new technologies. Hunt Library offers dozens of group study rooms; music and media production rooms; a makerspace; a game lab; two high-end visualization rooms; and four large public video walls. We will show how this 21st-century library's design offers novel opportunities for teaching and learning, and how faculty and students are leveraging the design.

OUTCOMES: Understand the value of intentionally designing learning spaces with a student-centered focus * Discover the possibilities of engaging students with innovative emerging technologies * Learn how large-scale visualization walls can enhance teaching and learning * Discover the advantages of a makerspace program * Learn how the combination of multimedia production spaces with presentation spaces can involve the library in every step of an assignment