Kresge Library celebrates grand opening of technology center

By Katie Land, news editor

Kresge Library opened its doors today to celebrate the grand opening of the Technology Learning Center. The new center boasts centralized academic units that focus on creative collaboration and innovation in technology-based teaching, learning and research.

Nearly 200 people gathered to explore the center and to hear remarks from Kresge Library Dean Julie Voelck, University President Gary Russi, Senior Vice president of Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil and Assistant Vice President of e-Learning and Instructional Support Cathryn Cheal.

Bringing together an information commons, e-learning and instructional support and UTS help desk, the state-of-the-art facility offers computer workstations, laptops, software, peripherals and media computers with large-screen LCD monitors in a flexible learning space.

“The Technology Learning Center @ Kresge Library is representative of the tremendous changes that are occurring in academic libraries, and in the world of information,” Moudgil said. “Students are not only using library services in the traditional way; they are coming to the library to take command of their own learning.”

Students will have convenient access to staff for computer assistance and librarians for research assistance. They also can take full advantage of the wireless network, digital library resources, Web 2.0 and other technologies at their disposal.

The Information Commons offers a vast technological and design improvement over the old lab and pushes OU beyond similar facilities at other universities, according to Voelck.

“An entire wing of the library has been transformed from a storehouse for paper federal documents into a dynamic, technology-rich environment where students can work singly or in collaboration, and use information to the fullest,” Voelk continued.

Student input and participation played a large role in designing the new center. Students and library administrators are collaborating on a plan to one day add a café to the center. Feedback from students and visitors will help determine the course of the TLC as it evolves.

“The library, enhancing its traditional role as the center of campus, is now more than ever, a place where people come together to foster and support active learning, teaching and research,” Moudgil said.

For more information on the Technology Learning Center, call (248) 370-2486.