Mills Library opens new innovative learning space

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/library2.jpg” caption=”Sean Belcher, right, a Mohawk College co-op student who is working in the Library’s IT department, provides expert assistance with students’ computer questions. Photo credit: Amanda Etches-Johnson “]Before you build it they will come. At 9 a.m. on the first day of classes, students were already lined up at library computers – a very visual demonstration of the need for the Mills Learning Commons facilities and services.

As part of Phase I of the Commons project, McMaster University Library has announced new and innovative campus partnerships with the Centre for Student Development (CSD), University Technology Services (UTS) and the Centre for Leadership and Learning (CLL). Together, they are offering new and enhanced services to facilitate learning and research on campus:

IT Help Desk – visit the IT Help Desk for expert assistance with all your computer questions from setting up accounts (WebCT, MAC ID, etc.) to various computer applications, wireless access and setting up your laptop to use MacConnect (Wireless) and Library public printers. Get help Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
IM the Library – Instant Messaging is now available Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, visit http://library.mcmaster.ca/justask/.
Services for Students with Disabilities – new full-time co-ordinator, Library Services for Students with Disabilities (Harry Ennis, e-mail: liblssd@mcmaster.ca; phone: 905-525-9140, ext. 26058. LSSD is located in Mills Room 218A/A. Drop in Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment. Later this fall, look for more computers with adaptive technologies such as Kurzweil, Zoomtext and Jaws.
Writing/authoring help – beginning on Sept. 26, CSD staff and peer helpers will offer writing clinics and academic skills counselling in the Learning Lab (Mills Room 218/A). To register for a session, visit http://maclife.mcmaster.ca/csd/onlineregistration/WritingClinic/viewworkshops.cfm.

Some of the library's enhanced services for this year include:

in-depth research consultations with librarians. Need help with a class assignment or follow-up on an instruction session? Book an appointment with a reference librarian.
instruction – sessions on writing skills, IT skills and RefWorks (a citation management tool) have been added to our menu of help sessions.
Data Services- expert help with specialized electronic research data. This office has been temporarily relocated to Mills 114, and will move to its new permanent location in Mills 111 in mid-October.

In the next few months, they will add approximately 40 computers and more software applications (MS Office, etc.) to the Learning Commons. In Phase II (summer 2006), the McLay Reading Room will be renovated to house additional computers, a quick access area, collaborative study rooms, soft seating and more individual study spaces.

For more information on the Mills Learning Commons Project, go to: http://library.mcmaster.ca/mills/learningcommons/.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/library2.jpg" caption="Sean Belcher, right, a Mohawk College co-op student who is working in the Library's IT department, provides expert assistance with students' computer questions. Photo credit: Amanda Etches-Johnson "]Before you build it they will come. At 9 a.m. on the first day of classes, students were already lined up at library computers - a very visual demonstration of the need for the Mills Learning Commons facilities and services.<p><br />
<br />
As part of Phase I of the Commons project, McMaster University Library has announced new and innovative campus partnerships with the Centre for Student Development (CSD), University Technology Services (UTS) and the Centre for Leadership and Learning (CLL). Together, they are offering new and enhanced services to facilitate learning and research on campus:<ul><br />
<br />
<li>IT Help Desk - visit the IT Help Desk for expert assistance with all your computer questions from setting up accounts (WebCT, MAC ID, etc.) to various computer applications, wireless access and setting up your laptop to use MacConnect (Wireless) and Library public printers. Get help Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to midnight,  Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.</li><br />
<br />
<li>IM the Library - Instant Messaging is now available Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, visit <a href="http://library.mcmaster.ca/justask/">http://library.mcmaster.ca/justask/</a>.</li><br />
<br />
<li>Services for Students with Disabilities - new full-time co-ordinator, Library Services for Students with Disabilities (Harry Ennis, e-mail: <a href="mailto:liblssd@mcmaster.ca">liblssd@mcmaster.ca</a>; phone: 905-525-9140, ext. 26058. LSSD is located in Mills Room 218A/A. Drop in Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment. Later this fall, look for more computers with adaptive technologies such as Kurzweil, Zoomtext and Jaws. </li><br />
<br />
<li>Writing/authoring help - beginning on Sept. 26, CSD staff and peer helpers will offer writing clinics and academic skills counselling in the Learning Lab (Mills Room 218/A). To register for a session, visit <a href="http://maclife.mcmaster.ca/csd/onlineregistration/WritingClinic/viewworkshops.cfm">http://maclife.mcmaster.ca/csd/onlineregistration/WritingClinic/viewworkshops.cfm</a>.</li></ul>											<br />
Some of the library&#039;s enhanced services for this year include:<ul><br />
<br />
<li>in-depth research consultations with librarians. Need help with a class assignment or follow-up on an instruction session?  Book an appointment with a reference librarian.</li><br />
<br />
<li>instruction - sessions on writing skills, IT skills and RefWorks (a citation management tool) have been added to our menu of help sessions.</li><br />
<br />
<li>Data Services- expert help with specialized electronic research data. This office has been temporarily relocated to Mills 114, and will move to its new permanent location in Mills 111 in mid-October.</li></ul><br />
<br />
In the next few months, they will add approximately 40 computers and more software applications (MS Office, etc.) to the Learning Commons. In Phase II (summer 2006), the McLay Reading Room will be renovated to house additional computers, a quick access area, collaborative study rooms, soft seating and more individual study spaces.<p><br />
<br />
For more information on the Mills Learning Commons Project, go to: <a href="http://library.mcmaster.ca/mills/learningcommons/">http://library.mcmaster.ca/mills/learningcommons/</a>.

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