WisDOT iCommons: Creating User-Friendly Spaces on a Budget

Slide 1
WisDOT iCommons: Creating User-Friendly Spaces on a Budget

• Transportation Librarians Roundtable
• November 8, 2007
• John Cherney,
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Slide 2
Why an iCommons at WisDOT?

Reorganization as a a catalyst

• Department-wide reorganization
• New section: RCSS (Research and Communication Services Section)
• Library –physical front piece of new section
• Feature highlights of new section, impetus to begin thought on user-friendly spaces

Slide 3
Conceptualizing the WisDOT iCommons:

Literature Review

• Our task: find sources related to how a physical setting facilitates knowledge transfer
• Literature review –library science, computer science and academic literature
• Look for real world examples of other iCommons efforts, particularly in a special library
• The case for space

Slide 4
Conceptualizing the WisDOT iCommons:

Supporting Internal DocumentsSupporting Documents

• Instead of ‘Nice to Necessary’ –‘Nice AND Necessary’
• Created documentation to support our contentions –a business case and a presentation on our local on-site research

Slide 5
Conceptualizing the WisDOT iCommons:

A New Location

• Old library space, quickly becoming inadequate with donations from reorganization and retirements
• Management buy-in of our concept : new lobby location for iCommons and creation of North Stacks
• Image - Circulation area –old library
• Image - New location –before iCommons

Slide 6
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Establishing Parameters

• Budget, building and IT constraints: what were the specifics?
• Identify items from old library we wanted to keep
• Moving the library

Slide 7
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Establishing Parameters - IT Issues

• IT constraints –firewall –security concerns
• Internet Access area –need Static IP and local logon –continue with these protocols
• Wireless connectivity and related programs, not possible
• Increase number of enabled data jacks in iCommons and North Stacks
• IT surplus –source of inexpensive equipment

Slide 8
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Establishing Parameters - IT (con't)

• With simple workstation furniture and flat panel monitors, Internet Access area became more user-friendly.
• Occupies 121 sq. ft.
• Image - Old Internet Access area
• Image - New Internet Access area

Slide 9
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Getting to know our Facilities staff

• Worked closely with our Facilities staff
• Two-way education process
• Library staff included during ALL stages of iCommons planning

Slide 10
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Working with Facilities Staff

• Concept illustrations for management and facilities
• With library staff input, floor plans were changed often
• Image - Concept –circulation desk
• Image - Concept –lobby entrance

Slide 11
Planning the WisDOT iCommons:

Establishing Parameters –Building Issues

• Needed to design user-friendly spaces in areas where electrical boxes/data jacks existed (beneath the floor)
• Had to meet or exceed ADA code to make spaces more user-friendly for everyone
• Facilities warehouse – source for furniture and more
• Facilities connections with other state agencies
• Image - Recycled shelving in North Stacks (from WI Dept. of Revenue)

Slide 12
Designing the WisDOT iCommons:

Facilities Vision

• Comfortable, inviting place for patrons
• Color that evokes a sense of calm
• ‘Fun’ yet challenging project; departure from regular government building design
• Image - Copper Sparkle

Slide 13
Designing the WisDOT iCommons:

Facilities Vision - (con't)

• Inviting entrance was a high priority
• Image - Old entrance
• Image - New entrance

Slide 14
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Circulation Area

• Circulation area consists of joined spare desks bolted together and custom-fitted with table top and front panel
• Cost about 1/10 of a library circulation table
• Image - Old circulation desk
• Image - New circulation desk

Slide 15
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Collaboration Areas

• Collaboration Cove, iCommons–56 sq. ft.
• Collaboration Corner, North Stacks –64 sq. ft.
• Digital white boards and printers, data/phone access, recycled tables and chairs
• Image - Collaboration Cove iCommons
• Image - Collaboration Corner North Stacks

Slide 16
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Main Reading Area

• Occupies 42 sq. ft./next to reference area
• Image - Main reading area Old library
• Main reading area (foreground) iCommons

Slide 17
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Map Case

• Electrostatically painted, more visible location
• Image - Map case –old library
• Image - Map case –iCommons

Slide 18
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Recycled shelving

• Electrostatically painted existing WisDOT Library shelves
• Electrostatically painted recycled shelving from other state agencies

Slide 19
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Study Carrels –A/V space

• Implemented through configuration of system furniture and stand-alone recycled items –network access; 16 sq. ft.
• Image - iCommons
• Image - North Stacks

Slide 20
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

iCommonsReading Lounge

• Donation from Secretary’s Office, items purchased at 50% of regular price; occupies 48 sq. ft.

Slide 21
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Other spaces –Webcasting

Slide 22
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Other spaces –SANE LANE

Slide 23
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Decorative Accents I

• Carpet for iCommons recycled; from WisDOT’s Materials Lab building
• Accent pieces samples from Web ( www.mannington.com) and ReStor
• Total cost about ¼ of new carpet installation
• Image - Carpet -iCommons
• Image - Carpet –North Stacks

Slide 24
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Decorative Accents II

• Transportation-themed art and clock, silk flowers

Slide 25
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Library signs

• All signs based around theme of lobby entrance sign
• Consistent look and feel

Slide 26
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Other recycled items

• Recycled from Facilities warehouse, including wooden glass cases

Slide 27
Creating the WisDOT iCommons:

Final Thoughts

• Reactions to the iCommons
• Thank you!!
• For further information contact:
  John Cherney
  john.cherney@dot.state.wi.us