Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

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Contents

[edit] Introduction

The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC)is an innovative facility dedicated to the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development of the people in British Columbia. Located at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia, the Learning Centre is built around the refurbished core of the 1925 UBC Main Library, one of the first buildings constructed on the UBC campus. The Learning Centre provides access to information, knowledge and innovative teaching through the support of learning and research on an interactive basis with people in BC and throughout the world, the IKBLC provides the opportunity for future generations to be at the forefront of learning [1].

[edit] Irving K. Barber

Irving. K. Barber, the principal donor for the Learning Centre, first came to The University of British Columbia in September of 1945 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree in 1950. Both a forester and entrepreneur, Barber is a philanthropist who has based his funding for projects with a focus to strengthen BC and improve the quality of life for BC residents. In 2002, Barber donated more than $20 million for the construction of the Learning Centre while the British Columbia government contributed $10 million, and UBC provided the balance of funding.

[edit] Programs and Services

The IKBLC is considered the gateway to UBC's extensive library systems as well as to other library collections around the world [2]. The IKBLC reflects the dedication of its founders and the people of British Columbia to continue to reinvest in the future of the Province by supporting and enhancing the environment for learning. The University of British Columbia and the Province of British Columbia are committed to achieving this Purpose and these Principles and to establishing and maintaining the Learning Centre as a leading facility in the development, provision, and delivery of learning resources and services.

The Irving K. Barber learning Centre includes:

  • A flexible and technologically advanced facility that keeps pace with the evolution in information resources and education in the 21st century and beyond;
  • Immediate access to the information and other resources required to support research and innovation;
  • 15 years of growth space for UBC Library's print collection and environmentally suitable space for its collections of rare and special materials;
  • The facilities and means for people throughout British Columbia to connect and interact with the national and international community in the pursuit of learning;
  • An interdisciplinary environment dedicated to integrating people, knowledge, and innovation to develop solutions for the challenges of life in the new millennium and beyond.
  • The Learning Centre will be not only a focal point of education for students and teachers at UBC but will also support lifelong learning by people throughout B.C. and the world. It will enable them to work effectively together in continuing to build a better British Columbia through the sharing of knowledge and experience [3].

[edit] BC History Digitization Program

Started in 2006, the goal of the digitization program is to promote access to British Columbia's historical resources. In providing matching funds to undertake digitization projects that will result in free online access to our unique provincial historical material, the Learning Centre serves as an education centre, library and a conduit of knowledge for lifelong learners.

[edit] Robson Reading Series

In providing an engaging and pedagogical atmosphere, the UBC Bookstore at Robson Square and UBC Library's Robson Square branch offers opportunitiesto challenge not only the understanding of Canadian living, but to expose us to fresh ideas from some of the country's finest writers. Through a grant from the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, a number of the readings take place on at the Learning Centre.

[edit] Interlibrary Loans

Through the the initiatives from the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, the goal is for users throughout British Columbia are benefiting from expanded access to the collections of UBC Library and other libraries. These developments support the Learning Centre’s mandate to provide lifelong learning opportunities at UBC, throughout the province and beyond. Funding provided by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre has enabled UBC Library to reduce its interlibrary loan (ILL) fees for all public libraries and most health libraries in B.C. In addition, another Learning Centre initiative, carried out in collaboration with the British Columbia Electronic Library Network, has resulted in all B.C. post-secondary libraries eliminating interlibrary loan charges for books among their libraries.

[edit] Multimedia Repository

Since 2003, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia has sponsored live webcasts of lectures and other events held at the University of British Columbia campus and in the community. These webcasts are archived and freely accessible for viewing through the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Multimedia Repository and through video sharing. [4]

[edit] Digital Outreach Initiatives

Digital outreach provides a flexible and technologically advanced facility that keeps pace with the evolution in information resources and education in the 21st century and beyond through the use of Web 2.0 and social software technologies. Through offering innovative means and strategies in reaching the farthest corners of the local and global community, the Learning Centre uses such programs as Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, Yahoo! Video, and blogging to reach out virtually to its users.[5]

[edit] Chapman Learning Commons

In offering learning support services and programs, as well as access to a variety of technologies including multimedia software and hardware, the Chapman Learning Commons is a space for group work as well as seating for individual study. Established with the help of a donation by Mrs. Kay and Dr. Lloyd Chapman, the Learning Commons is located in a refurbished central section of the Learning Centre. In collaboration with various departments across the University of British Columbia Library as well as units across campus in the development and delivery of programs and services, the Learning Chapman Commons provides integrated support and services for research and information literacy instruction, writing assistance, learning skills programs and technology through one-to-one help, workshops, peer mentoring and virtual resources and services.

[edit] Facility Highlights

  • Collection space for 2,100,000 volumes including open stack shelving and 1,800,000 item capacity with the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS)
  • Rare Books and Special Collections Fort Fraser Reading Room
  • Climate-controlled vault for rare books and archives
  • The Wallace B. and Madeline H. Chung Collection
  • New locations for:
    • School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies (SLAIS)
    • Center for Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG)
    • Office of Learning Technology (OLT)
    • Gateway Programs – Arts One, Science One, Coordinated Arts and Coordinated Science
  • Community concourse and display space
  • Dodson and Lillooet Rooms
  • Variety of informal study areas with over 1,500 study seats
  • 157-seat Victoria Learning Theatre
  • 6 classrooms of various seating capacity, from 40 to110 seats
  • 5 seminar rooms
  • 21 group study/project rooms
  • 2 boardrooms
  • Ridington Reading Room and Musqueam Reading Room
  • Ike’s Café with a seating capacity of more than 80 people
  • Environmentally Sustainable Features

[edit] References:

  1. ^ [1] (accessed June 4, 2008)
  2. ^ [2] (accessed June 4, 2008)
  3. ^ [3] (accessed June 4, 2008)
  4. ^ [4] (accessed June 4, 2008)
  5. ^ [5] (accessed June 4, 2008)