What's New

Learning & Information Commons in College Libraries

As a library furnishings dealership, we have seen first-hand the shift in both the role and design of college library spaces. From an aesthetic perspective, the college library was at one time defined by the vast amount of book shelving and private study carrels that it offered to students. Today, we are seeing something very different in the rise of Learning & Information Commons. These new spaces combine the functions of the traditional library, technology and other campus services into a new environment that promotes collaboration, informal meetings, creativity and social interaction.




From a furniture perspective, we are providing our college and university clients with product designed to accommodate groups of students that gather to discuss ideas, assignments and research. This type of furniture can take many forms:

• Lounge seating in carefully designed configurations to provide physical separation between the team and the outside world
• Mobile tables and chairs that can be moved and reconfigured to accommodate groups and teams of different sizes
• Smart conference room tables that incorporate power and laptop connectivity to a screen or SmartBoard in the room
• Laptop and desktop computer bars where students can access the library catalog, Internet, Microsoft Office programs, etc. We are also turning traditional reading and computer tables into Listening Stations through integration of an iPod dock
• New shelving systems designed to minimize the shelving footprint while continuing to offer students access to books, magazines and media

The college library has become more important today than it ever has before. It continues to serve the traditional library role while at the same time evolving into an important social hub on campus.

Whether you are designing a new Learning & Information Commons building – or simply wish to modify your existing space to accommodate these new functions – Creative Library Concepts would be more than happy to show you how our products can help you take the next step.