Conference: LIBER 2010, Aarhus (Denmark) By: Ellen Simons The presentation focuses on the changes in education and their implication for the university library. The impact of Avans' strategic educational vision on the design and lay-out of the buildings and especially Xplora, the Learning-centre of Avans, will be described. The three locations of the Avans Learning-centre (opened in 2006 and 2007) comprise a total of 2,000 student workplaces. The traditional library has changed into a multimedia learning-centre and now resides under the Avans Learning and Innovation Centre. New buildings and a new organizational structure demand new working-arrangements with faculty staff. The transformation from library to Learning Centre and especially the consequences for library staff will be focused upon. All staff was offered a comprehensive training program. In addition, information specialists were trained to improve their acquaintance with educational knowledge. The benefits derived from the cooperation by library staff working with colleagues from other disciplines (e.g. educational consultants , e-learning consultants, multimedia staff etc.) within the Avans Learning and Innovation Centre will be described. The results of relevant student surveys will also be described. To wrap up, I will draw some conclusions based on 4 years working in new buildings, new educational models, new organization, new working arrangement, etc.

1. The New Learning Environment:
impact on staff and students
Ellen Simons
Learning and Innovation Center
Avans University of Applied Sciences
39th LIBER Annual Conference June 29 2010 1
R

2. Learning and Innovation Center
Avans University of Applied Sciences
• 3 locations
• 24.000 students
• 60 bachelor programs
• 7 master programs
• 19 schools
• 1 Learning and
Innovation Center
• 4 support units
• 2.000 staff
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3. Learning and Innovation Center
Traditional education
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4. Learning and Innovation Center
Modern education
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5. Learning and Innovation Center
The influence of the learning
environment
“We know that space can have a significant impact
on teaching and learning. Exactly how we bring
together space, technology, and pedagogy will
continue to evolve.”
Diane G. Oblinger, Space as a change agent, in Learning Spaces,
Educause, 2006
“Spaces are themselves agents for
change. Changed spaces will change
practice.”
JISC, Designing Spaces for Effective Learning: A
guide to 21st century learning space design, 2006
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6. Learning and Innovation Center
Consequences for Library
• Adequate resources
• Library Staff takes
part in educational
process
• Library must change
into a rich learning
environment
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7. Learning and Innovation Center
Vision on learning and teaching
is leading
• Connecting people:
student – teacher – professional
field
• Recognising diversity
• Creating knowledge
• Establishing a dynamic
learning environment
physical and virtual
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8. Learning and Innovation Center
From library to
The New Learning Environment
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9. Learning and Innovation Center
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10. Learning and Innovation Center
Positioning of the Learning Centre
• Just a facility or a key element in the institution’s vision on
teaching and learning?
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11. Learning and Innovation Center
Facility or Strategic instrument?
“A learning space should be able to motivate learners and
promote learning as an activity, support collaborative as well
as formal practice, provide a personalised and inclusive
environment, and be flexible in the face of changing needs.”
JISC
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12. Learning and Innovation Center
Key element in strategic vision:
“What is important is that designs of physical spaces are linked to
the institution’s strategic vision for teaching and learning, and
that this is articulated in every detail of the design and shared with
all stakeholders, including learners.”
JISC
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13. Learning and Innovation Center
Positioning of Xplora in Avans
University
Xplora as part of
Learning and Innovation Centre:
•Provides an integrated learning
environment (physical and virtual)
•Advisory role towards schools on the
subject of educational programs
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14. Learning and Innovation Center
Organizational consequences
• Position: from side-line to center
• Role information specialist
comparable to educational officer
• Library merged into Learning and
Innovation Centre
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15. Learning and Innovation Center
Partner to education
• Strong contacts with school faculty
• Working-relations between Learning
Centre and schools must be built and
maintained
• a new function : Information Specialist
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16. Learning and Innovation Center
The New Way
• Contact persons for each school
• A pro-active approach
• Subject-teams
• Cooperation with educational
officers
• User research and feedback
groups
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17. Learning and Innovation Center
Information specialist
• Advise schools
• Build and maintain relevant
networks
• Collection profiles and
collection evaluations
• Presentation and promotion
Xplora
• Instructions
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18. Learning and Innovation Center
Consequences for Xplora Staff
• Relationship to student changes
• Relationship to teacher changes
• Different competences
• Special Staff training programme
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19. Learning and Innovation Center
Learning Centre Staff 2005-2009
• New job descriptions set up with team members (2005)
• Reorganization (July/October 2005)
• Board approves of staff formation plan 2005-2008
(September 2005)
New job descriptions
Increase of staff in 2006/2007 of 18 fte’s (35 fte’s  53
fte’s) (opening Xplora’s in 2006 and 2007)
• Training program for all staff (November 2005-today)
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20. Learning and Innovation Center
Near Future 2010-2012
• Further improving Xplora’s
buildings
• Expansion Xplora Den Bosch
• New “Technical” Xplora in Breda
• KPI and Activity Based Costing
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21. Learning and Innovation Center
Conclusions (1):
Student surveys 2008-2010:
 8.000 responses
• For group work and pc-applications
• High occupancy rate
• Attractive and inviting environment
• High level of services
• High demand of teacher presence
• More PCs and more outlets
• more workspaces for quiet study
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22. Learning and Innovation Center
Conclusion (2): Library merged
into Learning and Innovation
Centre
Mutual benefit:
• “Library staff” have more
appreciation for educational
processes
• Educational officers have
more understanding of the
relationship between
information and knowledge
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23. Learning and Innovation Center
Conclusion (3): General
• Xplora is widely known even outside
the professional field
• Xplora is a highly successful concept
(1,4 million visitors in 2009)
• Staff involvement and training
important
• Continuous improvement
• More objective information about our
own organisation
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24. Learning and Innovation Center
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25. Learning and Innovation Center
Further Information:
• Ellen Simons
• E-mail: pmg.simons@avans.nl
• Video Xplora “ Discover it yourself:
http://www.surfmedia.nl/app/video/QV1wz15xVfVrqwzfstEEcDN
T/play?format_id=6pyORf6BDHfvNVuLSXWGI4Cj&mode=url
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