Library and Learning Innovation Project - Comments from first meeting

We had our first meeting with the LLIP (Library and Learning Innovation Project) this week. Reps from across EET met with one of the architects from the Resource Planning Group on Wednesday morning. If "all the stars align", the library renovation / addition of a second floor will be complete in 2014. The goal is to move all the student and instructor support units to this facility, which means that EET will be relocated somewhere in this space. This is why we are involved with the planning. It's a very consultative process.

We went through the "Key Parameters" document at this meeting, most specifically the sections relevant to EET. This document summarizes key planning parameters that were identified in workshops in January and February 2010 (so a year ago). This information will be used as a basis for detailed functional planning and schematic design.

Highlights:
- Discussion around a "shared use, multi-purpose instructional room as part of the Learning Commons, to support Library instruction, EET activities (e.g. PD, curriculum development, skills development, etc.) and external group workshops". This room would be designed to support cutting edge, innovative educational technology. Think about what we could do with a space like this!

- We looked at the number of staff in our area, along with the type of space that would best meet our needs (e.g. open collaborative spaces, lounging areas, office space, kitchenette, reception space, etc.). We talked about what our needs will be in 4 years, and what it could be. Steve's comment was that our area could be the cutting edge, progressive space - and we could be a model for and teach others on campus. And yes, we talked about the work spaces at Google. We don't have the budget to do what Google does (themed offices, for example), but we could do things to simulate that environment. Very exciting!

The architects will be summarizing / analyzing the information they gleaned from this meeting and then sending it back to us for clarification prior to our next meeting on April 6. We'll be sharing more info as it becomes available.

The following people are on this committee: Lorne, Elio, Jackie, Sue, Donna, 2 faculty (Ian and Carolyn Speakman), Chris G., and Karen