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Information
commons opens in library Students are reacting positively to the newly opened Information Commons in the Mary Couts Burnett Library, said Kim Weber, manager of User Services. The Information Commons is the combination of the User Services computer help desk, the library reference desk and the computer lab assistance desk. “We are providing a combination of services including extended hours of operation that have been needed for some time,” Weber said.
The total cost of the project is over $250,000, however, more than $160,000 of the funding is from Telecommunications Infrastructure Grants from the state, said James Lutz, assistant university librarian for university services, in a TCU Daily Skiff article on Oct. 17. The remaining funds came from the Information Services and library budgets and the university, he said.The hours of operation for the computer help desk support have been extended to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, she said. Although definite numbers aren’t available yet, Weber said more students are utilizing the Information Commons to it’s fullest potential by taking advantage of available services until early morning hours. “We hope to provide services at the hours that students most need assistance,” Weber said. Kerry Bouchard, assistant university librarian for automated services, said the Information Commons will help students get assistance quicker. “Someone could get a computer support problem answered at 8 p.m. instead of having to wait until 8 a.m.,” Bouchard said. Jenny Sien, a sophomore business major, said she was pleased with the assistance she received from the Information Commons Monday when she requested her e-mail forwarded to another e-mail account. “It’s the first time I’ve used it and it was very helpful,” Sien said. Weber said the current set-up is convenient and easier for students to use. “Students no longer have to walk over to the computer help desk in the basement of Sid Richardson to change their password and then walk back to the library computer lab to continue their work,” she said. Efforts to make the Information Commons more efficient are also in the works, Bouchard said. Surveys about the Information Commons desk will be available for students and faculty soon and will ask students to rate things such as the usability of the Information Commons Web site, Bouchard said. Bouchard said the surveys are an important element to the Information Commons because it’s determined to help students and inform them of what’s available in the library. “We can help them get their computer account set up to get on the Web,” Bouchard said. “But we can also help direct them to the most useful resources once they get there and to people who can help them use what they find,” Bouchard said. Colleen
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