building a research commons in a university library: connecting scholars with technology, expertise...
DESCRIPTION
Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Library opened the Research Commons in the fall of 2011. The 5,000 square foot space is dedicated to graduate students and faculty who are engaged in collaborative scholarly work which takes advantage of digital technology. This presentation will focus on the mission, the space, and the way the Research Commons takes advantage of its place in the library. From its location inside the library, the Research Commons is neutral space where interdisciplinary groups of scholars can work collaboratively. Almost all of the furniture is mobile, enabling users to configure the work areas to suit their needs. This open design also allows scholars to see what others are working on and to be inspired by what they see. These unplanned and serendipitous encounters, along with more formal events, allow the Research Commons to establish and nurture an interdisciplinary community of scholars interested in digital scholarship. Housed within the Research Commons is the Mellon Funded Digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC). The mission of DiSC is to work with scholars whether they require instruction on simple tools or need help planning and executing larger projects.TRANSCRIPT
Stewart Varner
Digital Scholarship Coordinator
Emory University
Building a Research Commons in a
University Library: Connecting Scholars with Technology, Expertise and Each Other
The Rise of Digital Scholarship
42 panels devoted to
digital projects at this
year’s meeting of the
American Historical
Association. There
were 24 last year
(which seemed huge
at the time).
This year’s meeting of
the Modern Language
Association hosted 55
sessions with digital in
the title.
The Rise of Digital Scholarship
The Rise of Digital Scholarship
Where can I work?
Is anybody else doing this?
Who can help?
The Challenge for Scholars
• How can we engage scholars and
anticipate their needs before they know
them?
• How do we support digital scholarship in
a sustainable way?
The Challenge for Libraries
The Challenge for Libraries
The Solution
Historical Context
The Information Commons
The Learning Commons
The Research Commons
The Research Commons
The Research Commons
The Research Commons
Event Space
Event Space
The Digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC)
Goals:
• Start a Digital Scholarship Center at Emory which:
• Encourage collaborative work/Creates a community
• Involves librarians in new and meaningful ways
• Produces 4 projects per year
• Exposes library collections
• Create a model for other institutions to follow
The Digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC)
DiSC Digital Scholarship Solutions Analyst
Graduate Fellows
Associated Library Staff
Faculty Partners
Undergrad Staff
Digital Humanities Strategist
Digital Scholarship Coordinator
DiSC: People
• Workshops
• DiSCussions
• Speakers
• Advisory Board Meeting
• Conferences and Symposia
DiSC: Events
Tier 1: simple projects, consultation• At the Tier 1 level, we aim to empower scholars to do the work
themselves.
• Some home-grown projects. Example: disc.library.emory.edu/ows
DiSC Projects: Two Tier System
Tier 2: complex projects, receive support• Four Tier 2 projects/year
• Developer Time
• A small amount of money which can be used for travel, student work,
translation services, web development …
DiSC Projects: Two Tier System
Challenges
• Funding
Challenges
• Funding
• Preservation
Challenges
• Funding
• Preservation
• Attracting and Retaining Talent
Challenges
• Funding
• Preservation
• Attracting and Retaining Talent
• Becoming Truly Interdisciplinary
Challenges
• Funding
• Preservation
• Attracting and Retaining Talent
• Becoming Truly Interdisciplinary
• Establishing True Partnerships
Questions?