Content, learning and knowledge met technology and assistance with the opening of the new Tombros and McWhirter Knowledge Commons in Pattee Library on Jan. 9. A website with an interactive floor plan at http://resources.libraries.psu.edu/coll/kcinfo illustrates the new services and areas that are available.
An innovative collaboration between Penn State's University Libraries and Information Technology Services, the Knowledge Commons in Pattee Library provides a "one-stop shop" for students to complete assignments, from research papers to videos.
A host of 17 group study rooms can be reserved online. Many are equipped with Media:Scape technology, which joins people, space and technology to boost collaboration and help groups excel, allowing up to 8 individuals to connect laptops to a single monitor for collaborative assignments. A wide variety of learning spaces meet student needs, from a relaxing Reading Room with the latest bestsellers, "living rooms" with comfortable lounge furniture, two presentation practice studios to perfect oral communication skills, and multimedia production spaces for audio/video creation.
The Knowledge Commons has PCs and Macs with ample room for students to spread out books and papers, or to work with classmates and innovative instruction rooms including a small (12-15 capacity) group instruction room and a high-tech multimedia classroom.
Librarians and library staff, media specialists and technology consultants are available to answer questions in person and virtually. The Knowledge Commons, located on the first floor of west Pattee Library and the News and Microform Library (lower level), will be open 24 hours a day, from 10 a.m. on Sundays through midnight on Fridays.
In March, additional areas on the first floor of Pattee Library will open, including an expansion of 24-hour service, Library Services for Persons with Disabilities (renamed Adaptive Technology and Services) and the Gateway, renamed Sidewater Commons.
For more information, call Knowledge Commons Head Joe Fennewald at 814-865-0666.