Tech Library: A Model for Tomorrow
Special Design
Our class has also chosen to recommend a “special” set
of design recommendations that Northwestern University can implement
in the future. “Special” is defined as those recommendations
that are not immediately necessary but would give Tech library
a competitive edge. Some of these ideas refer to new technologies
and may not be feasible until a later date. However, they would
be valuable additions to the library and important to note right
now. This vision is based on students and faculty input and feedback,
in addition to research on how other libraries around the country
are adapting given the rapid improvements and rise in the use of
technology. In fact, we see technology as the key driver for this
vision, incorporating it into everyday library use by students
and faculty of the future. This vision is developed on the concept
that the purpose of the library is evolving from a place to store
books to a place of collaboration, team work, conferencing and
individual study. In Marvin Lofquist’s opinion, Associate
Dean for Physical Environment, WCAS, the basic design is a great
start, but in the future, libraries will become more centered on
cafes, lounges collaboration areas (See Appendix S). If, or rather
when additional resources become available for further renovations,
we recommend that the following Special Design changes be considered.
Digitizing Library Materials
The Google Book Project, in partnership primarily
with Harvard University, is predicated on the notion of moving
all books, guides,
reference materials, journals etc, online so they can be accessed
by as many users at any time possible. The goal of this project
is to give everyone equal access to all library material at their
convenience, and remove the hassle of checking out or dealing with
late or lost materials. As according to an interview with Morteza
Rahimi, Northwestern’s Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer on February 6, the main library is already working with
Google to create a video library for educational, informational
and entertainment purposes. The benefits of digitizing all library
material, as mentioned before, are obvious in nature. Not only
do as many people get access to as much material as needed at any
time, more collaboration of ideas can be increased using this feature.
For instance, on a book download page, just like on Amazon.com,
people can write reviews, give specific recommendations or create
a forum for discussion – all tools that can be used to bounce
ideas off one another and create global communities centered on
specific texts, etc. Thus, we strongly recommend expediting the
process of digitizing all library materials and that students,
faculty and staff be given the opportunity to learn not only from
the specific piece of material but from their peers and others
as well.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
RFID is an automatic identification method that stores and remotely retrieves data through the use of transponders, commonly labeled “RFID Tags”. These tags are microchips attached to a flat antenna and are small enough to be attached to a book which will allow students to be able to check out books through automated self-check-out stations. Each tag has its own unique serial number, and is capable of transmitting information to receivers, which interprets the information as data used for checking out the book. The data transmitted acts as the book’s identification number. This automatic management of books will make self-service a possibility and inventory control will be much more efficient. Theft control will also be made possible.
Librarians will now be able to focus on less menial tasks, given this technology’s efficiency in time and work. Time originally spent on keeping up with inventory data and checking out books will now be free for other more important duties. There will be less theft and lost books, saving the library significant replacement costs. Given the availability of this technology, its price (50 to 80 cents per tag), durability and effectiveness, it would truly be economically beneficial to implement this technology to modernize tech library.
Video Conferencing/ Communication
One of the greatest innovations from technology is the improvement made in the field of communication. As society globalizes, no longer should students or faculty at Northwestern University be restricted to stored, published materials in libraries on campus. They should be given the opportunity to interact and discuss and learn from as many experts as possible. Hence, advanced communication technology should be made more available in the modern library. As such, we recommend technology such as the Virtual Collaborative Design Project at Accenture Technology Labs that allows face-to-face communication possible even with participants at multiple locations. With engineers, scientists or designers all collaborating in multi-faceted global teams, instant communication becomes a necessity. With the digitization of all library materials, there will be an increase in the physical space available at the library. This space should be turned into break-out rooms with advanced communication equipment to facilitate the use of outside experts and cross-disciplinary teams from outside of Northwestern, thereby helping the students and faculty learn more without the inconvenience of having to travel for meetings or conferences.
Figure 13: Virtual Collaborative Design
Instant Messaging/ Online Presentations
While advanced visual conferencing may be installed at the Northwestern Tech library, such equipment may unfortunately not be available at places where Northwestern students and faculty are communicating with. For such instances, the use of instant messaging and online presentation software (again, as demonstrated by Accenture Technology Labs) can enhance the learning of students and faculty without having to see one another directly. Instant messaging in collaboration with online presentation software allows teams to communicate over the internet in a direct manner and see changes while working together on projects in real-time, without the hassle of email chains. Thus, this would be just another tool that Northwestern engineers, designers and scientists could use to communicate instantly with those physically away.
Figure 14: Instant Messaging Applications
Breakout/Smart RoomsWith the increase in the physical space as a result of digitizing library materials, we recommend that more breakout rooms be sectioned off for people to work on group projects. More and more, especially in the engineering and scientific worlds, teamwork is key to the success of any project. Thus, having more of such rooms available will enhance the use of a library by students and faculty working on group projects, and fit in with the overall vision of a library evolving from a book storage place to one of collaboration and team work. Additionally, smart rooms can be used to teach entire classes at once, using such technology such as the Interactive Wall Technology by Accenture Tech Labs. This allows everyone to get on the same page on projects and to see the big picture, while continuing to focus on completing individual tasks.
Dedicated Academic Computer Clusters
Adding computers dedicated to specific majors and loaded with software routinely used in those majors, would help students get more access to such software making work more efficient at Tech Library than in certain labs.
Thus, the theme or vision of where we see the library is to move towards a place of collaboration and team work, conferencing and individual advancement using the latest in communication technologies.
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