The Information Commons at Dickinson College
Revised: August 27, 2003
The Information Commons (IC) opened in September 2002. Created by a joint project of Information
Technology and the Dickinson College Library, the IC was the result of a structured planning process
within the library that looked at all space needs, the changing nature of student research, the emergence
of new forms of digital scholarship, and the changing nature of the student body. In addition to creating a
vital center for student and faculty technology use, the IC focused the library’s effort to assert its role as
the common intellectual space of the college.
The design of the facility departs from similar facilities in its openness and simplicity and reflects an
intention to allow its use to evolve as naturally as possible over time.
Its aesthetic conforms to the
renovation of the library by Perry, Dean, Rogers of Boston that was completed in 1998.
Located on the lower level of the Waidner-Spahr Library at Dickinson College, the Information Commons
consists of the following elements:

The open use space for individual computing. This space hosts 22 Dell personal computers and
scanners linked to a high volume Hewlett-Packard laser printer as well as an information desk staffed
by student workers. Each workstation resides on a custom designed furniture oriented to individual or
dual use and features a high speed Dell personal computer with flat-panel monitor, scanner, and
DVD/CD-RW drive. Software includes the Microsoft Office suite, latest IE and Netscape browsers
with all the latest plugins and Dreamweaver 4. This space also includes tables and chairs for students
not using computers, soft seating, a display unit with appropriate handouts and product literature, and
a personal computer and Kurzweil reader for students with visual disabilities. A central Help Desk is
used by student staff to assist members of the college community in the use of computing resources.
A ceiling mounted computer projector in an open social space is used to inform IC users of upcoming
events, scheduled classes, and new products. It may also be used to project video from the campus
cable television network.

The Alden Collaborative Learning Space. Named in honor of the Alden Foundation, which funded
initial funding for the IC, the Alden Room consists of 6 personal computers with large scale monitors
residing on custom built furniture. Each of these units has been designed to accommodate up to four
students. The size and design of the furniture ensures that all students are able comfortably to see
the monitor from any seated position. The Alden Room seamlessly serves three functions. First, it
serves as an electronic classroom that is uniquely suited to student-faculty interaction. Second, it
becomes when it is not in use for instruction an open use space for student computing that is
particularly suited to group projects.
Third, it may be used by faculty and students engaged in
digital scholarly projects under the auspices of the Dickinson Electronic Initiative in the Liberal Arts
(DEILA).

The Information Commons Classroom. Completed in February 2003, the IC Classroom consists of
18 Apple iMacs and an instructor workstation. As in other parts of the IC, furniture has been custom
designed. The design of the room accommodates flexible student-faculty interaction and a range of
instructional uses. Like the Alden Room, the IC Classroom is an open use space for student
computing when it is not being used for instruction.

The Dickinson Electronic Initiative in the Liberal Arts (DEILA). Created as a faculty driven initiative,
DEILA provides an umbrella organization for scholarly digital projects at Dickinson College. DEILA
serves as a clearinghouse for faculty projects, links faculty interested in digital projects with relevant
individuals and technologies and encourages the adoption of pertinent technical standards.
Although largely virtual in nature, DEILA has an office in the IC used by its director to conduct
meetings and to act as home to faculty engaged in this work.
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
The Digital Services Librarian. In February 2002, the Dickinson College Library created the position
of Digital Services Librarian. This position manages the library’s integrated library system (SIRSI),
the library Web page, and acts as a resource as the library integrates electronic resources into its
services. The Digital Services Librarian has an office in the IC next to DEILA.
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The open use space for individual computing
The open space area of the Information Commons consists of 28 workstations oriented to
individual use. Ample room is allowed for books and papers at each workstation.
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The Alden Collaborative Learning Space
The Alden Room serves two functions. It serves as an electronic classroom with an open
concept encouraging student-faculty interaction. When not in use as a classroom, its
workstations supplement those in the open space of the Information Commons. The design of
the workstations in the Alden Room accommodates student group work and projects.
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The Information Commons Classroom
The IC Classroom consists of 18 Apple iMacs and an instructor workstation. As in other parts of the IC,
furniture has been custom designed. The design of the room accommodates flexible student-faculty
interaction and a range of instructional uses. Like the Alden Room, the IC Classroom is an open use
space for student computing when it is not being used for instruction.
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