JOURNAL IMPACT FACTORS | OPEN ACCESS | STUDENT LEARNING

 

Student Learning is Our Passion
IAN WHYTE

In October 2006, the U of T Mississauga Library opened its doors to our new 110,000 sq. ft. facility, the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre (HMALC). The HMALC is a leading, world-class Library, committed to providing students and faculty with an open and collaborative environment that embeds rich information and technology resources and integrates expert services into a dynamic and imaginative experience to inspire and facilitate learning. We, Librarians and Library staff, care about student engagement, learning, and success. It is our passion!

The Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre (HMALC) is one of a ‘new breed’ of Libraries referred to as Academic Learning Centres.  The award-winning HMALC embraces research-based best practices and state of the art learning-centred design. It is the information hub and gathering place on campus for learning together, and as individuals.  We have created the Story of the U of T Mississauga Library that provides a broad narrative overview of the HMALC’s design and its diverse learning spaces.

While the strong acceptance of the HMALC has many positive aspects to it, and students rank the new Library and its staff very highly, there continues to be significant concerns from both students and staff regarding the unacceptable noise levels in the Library, especially when the facility is running at high capacity levels.

To further address concerns and to promote the Library as a space for research, reflection, discovery, and learning, we have created four specific Learning Zones: Silent Study Zones, Quiet Collaborative Study Zones, Conversation-Friendly Zones, and Cell Phone Friendly Zones.  Associated with each zone is a set of expectations, benefits, and cautions. We are encouraging students to select the zone that best fits the work they need to get done in the Library.  Each of the Library learning zones establishes basic expectations for acceptable behaviour that are enforced under the Library Code of Conduct (further information is available in Understanding the Library Code or in the full text of the Library Code of Conduct).

We will be monitoring the outcome of these changes and expect to report a positive change in upcoming issues of Foreword.

»