Learning Commons

Nov 07 2022

UI Libraries recognizes first-generation staff and student workers

Posted on November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 by Anne Bassett

The University of Iowa Libraries is celebrating its student workers and staff who identify as first-generation students with opportunities to enjoy snacks, coffee, and other refreshments at the Main Library.

It’s part of the university’s National First-Generation College Celebration held from Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. At Iowa, first-generation college students are students who do not have a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) who completed a four-year degree. Approximately one in five UI students identify as first-generation.

The campus community is welcome to stop by and grab a snack or drink in the Main Library (125 W. Washington St.) to recognize first-generation college students and staff at Iowa and the UI Libraires.

Monday, Nov. 7 – Hot chocolate and donuts in the Learning Commons
Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. – Breakfast and coffee in the Learning Commons near the Food for Thought Café
Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Cookies in the Learning Commons
Thursday, Nov. 10 – Assorted snacks in the Learning Commons
Friday, Nov. 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – Popcorn in Learning Commons, Group Area D

Monday, Nov. 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. – Game night in The SEAM (room 2013)

Meet some of our student workers and staff who shared they identify as a first-generation student:

**Tim Arnold, information literacy librarian**

**John Culshaw, Jack B. King university librarian**

**Eric Ensley, curator of rare books and maps in Special Collections and Archives**

**Heather Healy, clinical education librarian**

**Rita Soenksen, interim director of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and English and American Literature librarian**

Learn more about Iowa’s many initiatives to support first-gen students at https://firstgen.uiowa.edu.

Mar 20 2017

Study hall this week!

Posted on March 20, 2017March 28, 2017 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Faculty, TAs, and instructors are invited to stop by for a Study Hall session Wednesday, March 22 from 11am-3pm in 1140 LIB (Main Library). Staff from the University Libraries, Center for Teaching and Learning Commons will be on hand to answer any teaching technology and research questions as you continue to improve your courses! See you there!

May 09 2016

Study in the UI Libraries for finals

Posted on May 9, 2016December 2, 2016 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Hit your study stride for finals in the UI Libraries

The UI Libraries offers great places to concentrate on final exam prep, with extended hours, free coffee, and activities for short study breaks.

Studies indicate that students who take short, fairly frequent breaks during their study time are more productive. Give your brain a break by taking a walk or doing a mind-clearing activity to make your study time more productive.

In the Main Library Learning Commons, students can take advantage of activity stations featuring puzzles, colored pencils, and postcard making.

Get the complete list of all UI Libraries’ hours during finals.

Sep 08 2015

Talk About Just Living: Classroom Strategies for Social Justice Learning in the Public Sphere

Posted on September 8, 2015September 8, 2015 by The University of Iowa Libraries

The Main Library Learning Commons invites you to attend the faculty workshop Talk About Just Living: Classroom Strategies for Social Justice Learning in the Public Sphere on Friday, September 18th from 1:30-4:30pm.

Take advantage of the second annual Theme Semester Just Living in Spring 2016 to infuse your assignments with social justice issues that will resonate with your students. Give students the opportunity to engage in dialogue about social justice in public using your curriculum as their voice. Faculty can use assignments and projects to encourage students to engage with social justice issues and to learn what it means to participate in a public conversation.

This workshop will provide instructors the opportunity to reimagine how they can incorporate social justice into their curriculum and learn about opportunities for their students to showcase their work in public spaces. Participants will:

Discover opportunities and resources available for showcasing student work connected to the spring 2016 theme semester Just Living.
Learn how faculty and campus partners have promoted student work in public using the Learning Commons.
Revamp a current or previous assignment into something that can be displayed or performed in public.
Infuse social justice themes into a current or previous assignment.
Learn how to use the Just Living website to market courses related to social justice.

Experienced guest instructors will share their insights and experiences in using the Learning Commons to promote their students’ work and will demonstrate future opportunities on campus to showcase student work publicly. Participants will leave with a variety of project ideas for classroom use and will have the opportunity to return for an optional, drop in working session the following week where colleagues from the University Libraries, Learning Commons, and Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology will be available for one-on-one consultation.

The workshop will be held in Group Rooms 1103/1105 in the Main Library Learning Commons on Friday, September 18th from 1:30-4:30pm with an optional, drop-in work session on Friday, September 25 from 1:30-4:30pm. The institute is open to all faculty and instructors. There is no cost to attend, although pre-registration to the institute is required. Please register here.

Feb 25 2015

Make your own books, and eat them, too.… Edible Book Festival, April 1

Posted on February 25, 2015December 2, 2016 by University of Iowa Libraries

Library Cake The University of Iowa Libraries invites faculty, staff, students, and the Iowa City community to celebrate the annual International Edible Book Festival April 1 by crafting a delicious book to share and, of course, eat.

To participate, follow two simple rules: entries must be edible, and they must have something to do with books as shapes and/or content. Edible books will be displayed on April 1 in the Main Library Learning Commons, Group Study Rooms 1103 and 1105 in the South Lobby from 3:00-3:45 p.m., followed by a book tasting.

Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories including Best Book Structure, Best Literary Allusion, Judge’s Favorite, Audience Favorite, and Best Tasting. Judges will include Executive Chef of the Iowa Memorial Union Barry Greenberg, and University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections Librarian Colleen Theisen.

Photos and updates will be added to the Twitter hashtag #ediblebookiowa.

The International Edible Book Festival is an annual event held on April 1 around the world. The event unites bibliophiles, book artists, and food lovers to celebrate the ingestion of culture and its fulfilling nourishment. Participants create edible books that are exhibited, photographed, and then consumed. Information and inspiration can be found at www.Books2Eat.com.

For more information or to submit an entry, please contact Brett Cloyd via email at brett-cloyd@uiowa.edu or by telephone at (319) 335-5743, and bring your entry to Room 1103 between 2:00-2:45 p.m. on April 1.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Brett Cloyd in advance.

Oct 27 2014

Ghosts in the Stacks (and free popcorn)!

Posted on October 27, 2014December 2, 2016 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Looking for a spooky way to start off your Halloween weekend? Craving some free, freshly popped popcorn? Stop by the Main Library Learning Commons for a look at some of the scariest items housed in the Special Collections and University Archives department.

With items ranging from truly disturbing illustrations, to stories of local hauntings, there’s something to startle everyone. Special Collections and University Archives will have a selection of items available for browsing to help you get your Halloween weekend off to a historic start.

Thursday, October 30, 12pm-4pm
Main Library Learning Commons, Group Area D (across from Food for Thought)

For a preview of some of our spooky items, check out our tumblr page!

Sep 12 2013

Learning Commons Open House: September 18th, 11am-2pm

Posted on September 12, 2013December 2, 2016 by admin3010

You are invited to the

Learning Commons
Open House

Wednesday, September 18th

11:00am – 2:00pm

The Learning Commons project is a collaboration of the Provost’s Office, UI Libraries and ITS to create an intellectual hub for undergrads at the University of Iowa.

Aug 22 2013

Learning Commons completed

Posted on August 22, 2013December 2, 2016 by admin3010

UI Libraries opens new 24-hour, tech-filled study space as academic year begins

By Mary Geraghty Kenyon for Iowa Now
http://now.uiowa.edu/2013/08/learning-commons-completed

When the new academic year begins Monday, Aug. 26, the University of Iowa will open the new Learning Commons in the Main Library, a tech-infused, 24-hour, comfortable study space and one-stop academic help center…with good coffee.

The 37,000-square-foot space is the product of a partnership involving Information Technology Services (ITS), University Libraries, and the Office of the Provost.

Incoming students participating in On Iowa! will have a preview of the new space on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the opportunity to meet tech and research geniuses, test their UI and library trivia knowledge, and take on new University Librarian John Culshaw in a Wii challenge.

Features of the project include 18 group study spaces, 100 desktop and laptop computers, a 45-seat TILE (Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage) classroom with glass walls and sliding doors, printers and scanners, TVs and projectors, and multimedia resources.

In addition:

A consolidated service desk will be at the hub of the learning commons. Library and technical staff will be able to answer common academic questions and quickly facilitate expert-level assistance for academic and research issues.
Collaboration technology and high-speed wireless connectivity will be available through the commons. Commons staff will be at the ready to help with technology issues as well.
The Food for Thought café will offer an expanded menu that includes made-to-order sandwiches, fruit smoothies, and other snacks, as well as espresso and gourmet coffees.

The space will be open all day and night with the exception of Friday and Saturday nights, in direct response to students’ ongoing requests for 24-hour study space on campus.

Construction on the new space included the addition of a new library entrance on Madison Street starting Aug. 26. This and the south entrance, which had been closed during construction, will both be open while the library’s north entrance will close to facilitate the next phase of library renovations. During phase 2 of the renovation, the north entrance will be transformed into a lobby space that leads directly into the Learning Commons.

Apr 11 2013

Madison Street entrance construction to begin next week

Posted on April 11, 2013 by The University of Iowa Libraries

Within the next week work will begin constructing the new entrance to the library and learning commons on Madison Street.

Because of this, Madison Street will be reduced to two lanes. At this time we are not sure how long Madison St. will be affected by this project.

When the Learning Commons opens there will be three entrances to the building: North and South as well as the new entrance on Madison St.

Mar 15 2013

Posted on March 15, 2013December 2, 2016 by admin3010

These days anyone who comes to the library will be greeted with signs of construction…noise, hard hats and plywood. What!?!?!!, might you ask, is going on in the library? We are in the middle of constructing a new space for student success, interaction and learning! This fall the Main Library will be the home to the University of Iowa Learning Commons. Brought to you through the collaboration and support of ITS, the University of Iowa Libraries and the Provost’s office, the Learning Commons will support student success by providing collaborative study and work spaces, cutting edge technology, good coffee, even better social interaction and great service! To be kept in the know visit the Learning Commons website and don’t forget to LIKE the Learning Commons facebook page! Our Facebook page is up and running and we’ll not only provide you with updates on the construction of the Learning Commons but we’ll post fun and interesting articles, reviews, and websites that support your educational, personal and professional interests! See you there!