the ultimate flip

THE ULTIMATE FLIP

Library as part of

the Learning Commons

Lisa McDaniels

Southern Maine Community College

How did we get here?

First, some context

Brief History of SMCC

1946-198? Maine Vocational Technical Institute Southern Maine Vocational Technical

Institute 198?-2003

Southern Maine Technical College 2003- present

Southern Maine Community College

Lead up to Learning Commons

Concurrent upward trends 2003-2012

Enrollment (Fall 2013 FTE: 4200)

Traditional-age, transfer-oriented

Demand for academic support/technology

Digitization of library/course materials

Lead up to Learning Commons

Concurrent downward trends 2003-2012

College readiness

Persistence/graduation rates

State funding/tuition rates flat

Library was an “unmanned silo”

Insert Grant Money here…

2010: SMCC was awarded a 5-year Title III grant to improve student success (persistence/graduation)

Learning Commons idea was born; walls came down

People retired; Director hired

The Early Years: 2010-2012

What is a Learning Commons? Does it include..Advising and …Tutoring? Library?

Where is it? Campus Center – parts of the 1st and 2nd floors

Who is in charge? Director (who also oversaw Academic Advising)

Early 2012: Stuff happened

Re-defining

Proximity as Priority In – Library, Tutoring Out – Advising

Learning Commons Director Do-over Focus on Library degree/experience

Folding in the Writing Center Joint project: LC and Writing Across

Curriculum Comm

Learning Commons Visuals

Writing Center

Tutoring Area

What’s different about this LC ? Governance model:

Library as partner in the Learning Commons vs. Library as “landlord”

Space: Boundaries are blurred, fluid

Outcomes/Accountability: Seen as shared/integrated among all areas

How’s that workin’ for ya?

Challenges: Internal/LC staff Creating integrated mission/identity from

scratch Defining/re-defining roles and

responsibilities Boundaries not strictly delineated

Challenges: Faculty/staff/students Crafting consistent messaging, getting it

out there Branding the LC; Re-branding the library? “Why are people talking in the library?”

Opportunities Abound!

Student workers lead the way Research mentors, learning support techs

Partnering with IT on assessment Programming transcends silos

Disciplinary mash-up Student activities/IT/Facilities/Bookstore/PR

Shared space is flexible space Study lounge=Reception/Help=Event space Writing Center=Group Study Area=Bay

Watching

Stumbling towards Convergence

Partnerships are the new normal

Libraries without partners are getting squeezed out

Let’s lead this change!