SLU Welcomes "Library of the Future"

This December, Saint Louis University welcomed the opening of the new Academic Technology Commons at its Pius XII Memorial Library.

This pioneering space breaks new ground at SLU, and features 21^st Century technology like 3D printers and laser cutters, a wide variety of spaces that support different learning modes and group sizes, and OPEN:re:SOURCE, RATIO’s custom-developed service model for academic libraries.

Below, we revisit an earlier blog post about the library’s design and SLU’s vision for the space. 

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In the rapidly changing world of the 21^st Century Academic Library, perhaps no area is evolving faster than the library service model. The Generation Z students now entering college expect the library to be a seamless provider of immediate information and assistance, in addition to a central location for social interaction – a place for research, learning, tech support, group work and individual study, hanging out with friends and serendipitous “collisions,” lazy exploration and immediate resolution.

Traditionally, massive bunker-like resource desks staffed by professionals often resulted in an intimidating environment that was not approached lightly (we’ve heard librarians jokingly refer to this setup as “Fort Reference” and “the ‘R’ word”).

This evolved into the model commonly seen today – that of the “ask space,” where resource desks are downsized, interactions more casual, and new services readily accessible. Many of these spaces have experimented with a digital-first approach to asking for help.

Despite these changes, today’s methods still allow room for improvement.

In service interactions of all types, members of Generation Z expect instantaneous results first at their mobile device, and assume an equally smooth transition to a peer-based academic and technology partner.

These “Post-Millennials” are the first true digital natives – giving them a perspective on technology that emphasizes both the usefulness of robust digital tools and the need for complementary face-to-face interaction.  

Heavily influenced by social media, travel and globalization, Gen Z students also harbor higher expectations of quality design and authenticity to place.

At Saint Louis University, we were asked to re-imagine how a library’s design could support this emerging model of overlapping amenities and tiered service.

Working alongside librarians, administrators and the university’s IT group, we’ve envisioned a new kind of space library called OPEN:re:SOURCE. This zone, to be located inside SLU’s newly renovated Pius Xii Memorial Library, will blend tiered layers of concierge support with Genius Bar-style interaction among students needing assistance and their peers, supervised and supported by library and IT students and staff.

In an OPEN:re:SOURCE environment, students will be free to explore digital and collection-based resources, Academic Technology Services, an innovation lab and fully-equipped maker space, and traditional library services.

While these services are not necessarily new, the delivery (and the environment that supports them) are what make OPEN:re:SOURCE uniquely suited to the needs of Generation Z.

Any traces of the traditional help desk formality will be eliminated, breaking down the purely transactional relationship to create a “guide on the side” experience for students, while still making experts present and accessible when needed.

A variety of spaces will support a wide range of experiences, customized to each student’s preferences and needs and supported by seamlessly mobile technology: small group collaboration, one-on-one peer-guided support and hands-on demonstrations, and more private consultation.

Tying this multifaceted program together will be a lounge-like atmosphere that borrows from outside influences like retail and hospitality environments to heighten the experience and engage users. SLU branding throughout will support wayfinding and provide a sense of place.

Though the academic library is ever-changing in response to new technologies, educational philosophies and research needs, it remains an essential part of the university experience and a central part of campus life. One thing is for certain: as the needs, skills and preferences and experiences of incoming students evolve, the library must evolve with them.