Third Thursday Twitter Chat - Academic spaces

Welcome to our chat on the evolution of academic spaces with Corey Seeman @cseeman #mclschat

@cseeman Director of Kresge Library Services Stephen M. Ross School of Business UM #mclschat

We’ll get started in just a moment, but first tell us who you are and where you are tweeting from! #mclschat

Francene Lewis from Hekman Library, Grand Rapids #mclschat

Jan Davidson from @mclsorg Lansing #mclschat

Q1: How significantly has the use of space in academic libraries changed in the past decade? #mclschat

A1: One way to envision this - 'how many people are checking in serials at your library?' Probably not many. #mclschat

A1: As collections move to digital, the footprint needed for collections shrinks - even though not everything is online. #mclschat

A1: Library space has moved from collections focused to student, collaborative space and services tutoring & info commons. #mclschat

A1: It's hard to find a library that has not weeded or moved collections off-site for more student space. #LibraryMustardSeed #mclschat

A1: University administrators see libraries as space that can be better utilized. If it hasn't happened yet, it likely will! #mclschat

Q2: What are the trends? #mclschat

A2: I think the 20 year trend is 100% digital content purchasing with print managed off-site (if you are lucky). #mclschat

A2: If you are unlucky, you have to get rid of your printed collection - because its all online… #mclschat

A2: Student space at Ross School of Business is managed centrally - there is no real need to have librarians manage this. #mclschat

A2: Campus appetite for space (including labs and offices) will drive this more than what the library is doing or allowed to do. #mclschat

A2: I don't believe trends showing desire for print and return of vinyl LPs will save our physical collections. #ThatShipHasSailed #mclschat

Q3: Has this set up conflict between the libraries and other units on campus? #mclschat

A3: Absolutely! We think of libraries in a vacuum. You can do a great job and still lose your space. #mclschat

A3: You can have good circulation and still lose collection space. It is about perceived needs and priorities. #mclschat

A3: The reality is that other demands for space, budget and people will exert pressure on the library. #mclschat

Q4: How are libraries reacting to the new conditions? #mclschat

A4: They key thing is to recognize your new surroundings and capacities. What's Past is Prologue - and that's kinda all. #mclschat

A4: If you lose significant space, there are things you have to give up. Kresge no longer has course reserves. #mclschat

A4: A library's desire to provide services hinges on its resources (inc. $$). If you have limited space - it's your new reality. #mclschat

A4: Kresge's Backstory - From 2015 ReThink It Conference at GVSU  http://qub.me/  #mclschat

A4 - a better link -  http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/rethinkit_proceedings/5/#.WO_AwA4F9kM.twitter … #mclschat

A4:  http://www.owen.vanderbilt.edu/newsroom/press-releases/detail.cfm?customel_datapageid_42488=135222 … New lib at Vandy #mclschat

A4: This article from the LA Times just yesterday -  http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-college-libraries-20170419-story.html … #mclschat

A4: Comfortable & usable student space is what students are seeking (not for collections) - and we need to provide it. #mclschat

Q5: How is this effecting the users? #mclschat

A5: Some of the services are no longer available. These are problems for sure, but relatively small for most. #mclschat

A5: We become more focused on the immediate needs of users - making our long-term approach more difficult (esp with collections) #mclschat

A5: As we repurpose libraries as all student spaces, students are going to like having more (& hopefully better) work space. #mclschat

Q6: What is the challenge for libraries? #mclschat

A6: Balance! We have been good with having one foot in a modern world and one in the trad. one. #mclschat

A6: Libraries have to make choices they did not have to make before - and it works against our gut instincts many times. #mclschat

A6: "What's past is prologue" - and that's it. We have to not be wedded to what we have done. (sorry for the repeat)! #mclschat

Q7: What is the opportunity? #mclschat

A7: With apologies to @DearEvanHansen - "Cause all that it takes is a little reinvention" (from Sincerely Me)! #mclschat

A7: We need to look at the library differently and not dwell on what was lost, but what remains and what can be done. #mclschat

A7: At Kresge Library Services - We became 100% focused on service for our community. #mclschat

A7: Service is the future of libraries - especially with the decentralization of library collections. #mclschat

A7: Presenting on the issue of reinvention at the #glrsc17 in June (Great Lakes Resource Sharing Conference) in Chicago #mclschat

Q8: How have you adjusted with changes in your space? #mclschat

A8: You have to disconnect what you USED to do, what you WANT to do and what you CAN do. #mclschat

A8: We were upfront with the school admin about things that we would have to give up with the lost of space. #mclschat

A8: We stopped a few programs we were running (Reserves for one). On the plus side, we didn't need evening staffing. #mclschat

A8: We still do evening and weekend chat, but it is done remotely - which is actually nice (I think) for everyone. #mclschat

A8: And when it snows….we really don't sweat it because we are not a major public space any longer. #SilverLinings #mclschat

Q9: Has this changed your concept of library service? #mclschat

A9: Back in 2013, I thought about two spaces of a library. A Physical Space and an Ethereal Space. #mclschat

A9: Here are the slides for that -  https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/97763 … #mclschat

A9: Since we have lost most of our physical space, we no longer have this as an identity. #mclschat

A9: Now, we are all about service - or the Ethereal Space (as I've written about this concept). #mclschat

A9: With no physical library, we have become all about service. This is something that is easier to keep when admins go looking #mclschat

Q10: What should libraries be considering regarding these changes? #mclschat

A10: Be proactive in creating student spaces in your libraries. This serves a good function and helps articulate your role #mclschat

A10: Be flexible in the services that you provide depending on what you can do and what the community wants. #mclschat

A10: Be reflective of what the library needs to look like from current and future needs - not past practices. #mclschat

A10: The Future is Yours - but look what your campus community needs - not what others are doing. #mclschat

Q11: What else should we know about changing use of space in libraries? #mclschat

A11: It's coming! If not already, maybe in 2 years - maybe in 5 years. #mclschat

A11: The loss of library space is similar to the climate change discussion, too far into the future for some to be concerned. #mclschat

A11: But like the State Farm ad - "It's Happening Sweetheart" #mclschat

A11: BUT even with limited or no space, the service is important and will allow the library to thrive. #mclschat

A11: Gertrude Stein wrote of her childhood city of Oakland upon revisiting it that "there is no there there" #mclschat

A11: The Oakland she remembered is not what she saw when she returned years later. #mclschat

A11: That is the library conundrum - we will never again look like the library of yesterday. #mclschat

Out of time! Thank you so much @cseeman. This is great information. #mclschat

This chat will be archived and made available on demand. #mclschat

Join us next month for Data based decision making with Kimberly Young, Director @HoughtonLakeLib #mclschat