The Learning Commons is an open-space design. The furniture in the space is designed for both group and individual study needs. Partitions, tables, chairs, some soft seating, the buoy stools, and mobile whiteboards can be moved around to create study spaces.
Employees are welcome to have a drink at their work space. However, it is encouraged that one's beverage be in an enclosed container to prevent accidents in their work area. The best place to eat and drink in the Learning Commons is the breakroom.
Our breakroom (LIB 116) is a fantastic, welcoming space with a refrigerator, microwave, Keurig, and a sink. For optimal customer service, please enjoy your food in the break room or your space of choice elsewhere on campus, not in your work area.
There are two cabinets under the microwaves that may be used to house food. All food must be stored in sealed containers (plastic, metal, or glass) to discourage pest visits. Any food left unsealed will be tossed immediately and without warning. Please label all your food left in the space (in the fridge and cabinets). There are two drawers under the Keurig that has an assortment of hot beverages and tools for all to enjoy. At the end of the semester, supervisors will toss all remaining items that are not taken home.
The top of the counter in the breakroom is a shared space. Treats left on the counter for birthday, holiday, and Pro Dev (or just because someone felt like baking) are shared with all of the Learning Commons employees. Please do not leave your lunch or snack on the counter, or it will be considered fair game.
Please clean up the spaces after your snack or meal. Put away cleaned cutlery and dishes used in the process of making or consuming your food. There are paper towels and wipes next to the sink in the Break Room and on the shelves in the Workroom. Please do NOT leave dishes in the sink!
The computer labs are for library instruction/learning support purposes only. It cannot be reserved by employees or community members.
When not in use for classes, the labs are available as study spaces.
Since the labs cannot be reserved by employees or community members, an email response may be needed. This is an example of a Lab Request email reply:
"Hello,
The labs are scheduled for Learning Commons specific research and tutoring sessions and events. Both labs are in continuous use throughout the day for both tutoring and library needs, and one lab serves as a designated silent study area for students. This is also the reason that the labs are not scheduled through R24.
Please contact your DOM or DOS to schedule a lab space for your class.
Have a great day!"
It is an OTS policy that the labs are food and drink-free zones on the entire campus.
As long as there is a lid, a person can bring the drink into the lab space with them, but not drink from it. If you are concerned about the container, tell them to "be careful." The only time it will be necessary to enforce the policy is with open containers, like canned drinks, as they can easily spill.
There will be people who will complain about the noise level in the Learning Commons. This is not a "traditional" library as it is also a tutoring space. The Learning Commons caters to a variety of study needs. There are some options we can suggest to patrons to accommodate quiet needs:
If you see it, clean it up! Most cleaning supplies are located in the workroom.
| Screen Cleaning Wipe | Use on monitors and touch screens. |
| Lysol Disinfectant Spray | Clean air of musty and food smells. |
| Clorox/Lysol Disinfectant Wipes | It cleans off pen and pencil marks on the tables, among other things. |
| Magic Erasers | Cut off a small piece, wet it down, and wipe off stains left on furniture. |
| Goo Gone | Great for removing sticking marks usually left after something has been taped or stuck onto a surface. |
| Compressed Gas | Spray on the keyboards to remove crumbs. |
| Dusters | Use to remove dust from a surface. Also used to clean out the laptop trays in the kiosk. |
| Dustbusters |
Vacuum up crumbs from a surface (before they get trampled on and create more of a mess. One is located in the Breakroom and the other is at the Service Desk. |
| Stick Vacuum | Same as above. |
| Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner | Use for quick spot cleaning. |
| Bissell Wet Vacuum |
Use for quick spot cleaning. If a spot is uncleanable, a TMA will need to be sent via SNOW ticket to "Property Services" for deeper cleaning. |
We are also giving patrons a chance to clean up their spills or crumbs since we do allow food and beverages in our space. There is a cleaning station located near the booths and mediascapes. Patrons can ask for help cleaning their messes at the Service Desk. There should always be 2 Lysol packages at the cleaning station; 1 package in each of the mediascapes, and 2 packages in the Tutoring area.
If you are unable to clean up a mess, something's broken, or other issues related to the space, send an email to Jennifer Martinez. (While Jennifer is Interim Director of Business Operations, send the email to Anne McGittigan.)
For situations like: