The library or resource centre supports the college strategy to deliver high quality courses and training for a broad universe of students. The college librarians interviewed were universal in their commitment to help students bridge the gap between a learning and an earning environment, narrowing the leap from college to work. And the nature of courses has changed considerably, with more group presentational style of study than heads down individual study, and that too impacts on design thinking. Learning booths are becoming increasingly popular for meeting semi-private group or individual working styles, and even board room style layouts with presentation screens give students the experience of presenting their ideas in a ‘corporate’ environment. In the past, the gap between a college library space and an office space was very marked, but the gap has narrowed and some higher education resource centres are now not far removed in look and style from Google’s new offices.
When designing and furnishing new spaces the question to ask is: Do students want to be there? Or is it simply that they have to be there? It amounts to a big difference.
A final word from Michaela Lancaster, Senior Design Manager, Demco Interiors: “Generation Z students have a keen eye for design and they want to hook up and set down in cool spaces that motivate and inspire. Our role is to bring all the strands together to create functional spaces that zing with imagination and creativity and make students want to be ther