University of Sheffield, Information Commons
| Contact Details: | Martin Lewis, Director of Library Services & University Librarian, m.j.lewis@sheffield.ac.uk Dr Christine Sexton, Director of Corporate Information and Computing Services, c.sexton@shef.ac.uk Alex Hunt, Information Commons Manager, a.hunt@shef.ac.uk |
| Type of Project: | New build. |
| Start/End Date: | Initial ideas formed in 1998. Construction work began May 2005. Building opened Easter 2007. |
What Are Your Top Tips..
...For a successful new build? For embedding IT? For installing technology?
- Before committing to anything go out and explore developments in other HEIs and outside the sector - you can learn a lot and form opinions on features you might want to include or not based on other people's experiences.
- Don't underestimate the need for team building, use away days, give regular communication, let people know what to expect - it's vital that staff are on board.
- The Information Commons involved the bringing together of staff from two different departments, with cultural and operational differences, to work in the same space. This had change management issues and in order to minimise any potential issues it was important to spend a lot of preparation time prior to the opening of the IC building up relationships and training and developing staff.
- Liaise regularly with other relevant departments and their staff - prior to and after launch - e.g. Estates and Facilities.
- 24 hour buildings require a wide range of self-service options. Vending machines don't always need to vend food! Other consumables are also required - e.g. disks. More choice available equals less conflict!
- Ensure that any furniture or fittings are extremely robust and if possible, have a good track record of being successfully used in high-use buildings. Avoid aesthetically pleasing but impractical solutions.
