140 · Representative Documents: Planning and Progress
Texas A&M University
Recommendations of the Information Commons Task Force
3
Recommendation 1
Reconfigure Evans 1st Floor
A major theme that emerged from student input was the request for more and better-defined quiet space
on the first floor of Evans. Although quiet space exists on all floors of the library, many students want
quiet space amid the hustle and bustle of the first floor. Students also expressed an interest in better-
defined collaborative (non-quiet) space on the first floor.
Currently, the first floor of Evans is divided in two large public areas. The front entrance area is
typically regarded as a reading room. Toward the rear of the building is the reference room, with a few
dozen computers, photocopiers, and the printer for the first floor public computers as well as the
reference collection and reference desk. Most of the offices for staff and librarians are located adjacent
to the reference room.
To respond to these needs and allow for both quiet and non-quiet areas the Information
Commons Task Force strongly recommends the following:
• Designate the back area of Evans
(current reference room) as quiet
study space. Remove the reference
desk and close the doors, in a
configuration similar to the quiet
study areas of the West Campus
Library.
• Designate the front area of Evans
as non-quiet/collaborative study
space. Create a “help” desk in the
front section of the first floor,
roughly where the public “stand-up”
computers are, that combines the
current functions of the LPS and
reference desk. Current reference
staff will take over the “welcome
desk” function from Access
Services. Tier 1 questions will be
handled at this desk and librarians
will meet patrons there when
referred.
Information Desk, UVa Library
Texas A&M University
Recommendations of the Information Commons Task Force
3
Recommendation 1
Reconfigure Evans 1st Floor
A major theme that emerged from student input was the request for more and better-defined quiet space
on the first floor of Evans. Although quiet space exists on all floors of the library, many students want
quiet space amid the hustle and bustle of the first floor. Students also expressed an interest in better-
defined collaborative (non-quiet) space on the first floor.
Currently, the first floor of Evans is divided in two large public areas. The front entrance area is
typically regarded as a reading room. Toward the rear of the building is the reference room, with a few
dozen computers, photocopiers, and the printer for the first floor public computers as well as the
reference collection and reference desk. Most of the offices for staff and librarians are located adjacent
to the reference room.
To respond to these needs and allow for both quiet and non-quiet areas the Information
Commons Task Force strongly recommends the following:
• Designate the back area of Evans
(current reference room) as quiet
study space. Remove the reference
desk and close the doors, in a
configuration similar to the quiet
study areas of the West Campus
Library.
• Designate the front area of Evans
as non-quiet/collaborative study
space. Create a “help” desk in the
front section of the first floor,
roughly where the public “stand-up”
computers are, that combines the
current functions of the LPS and
reference desk. Current reference
staff will take over the “welcome
desk” function from Access
Services. Tier 1 questions will be
handled at this desk and librarians
will meet patrons there when
referred.
Information Desk, UVa Library
