Crit Stuart

For immediate release:
November 18, 2008

For more information, contact:
Crit Stuart
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
crit@arl.org

Learning Environments Derived from User-Centered Discovery Techniques: Webcast, Nov. 21, 1–2 p.m. ET

ARL's Crit Stuart to Discuss "A Space of One's Own" in EDUCAUSE Live! Seminar

Washington DC—Crit Stuart, Director for Research, Teaching, and Learning at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), will join host Steve Worona as the special guest in this Friday's EDUCAUSE Live! Web seminar, 1–2 p.m. eastern time. In the free webcast, Stuart and Worona will discuss "A Space of One’s Own: Learning Environments Derived from User-Centered Discovery Techniques."

Academic libraries are committed to delivering new or improved learning spaces for students. Information/learning commons have become de rigueur for libraries seeking to refresh and deepen their engagements with undergraduate learners. The most noteworthy learning environments provide enhanced productivity capacities; exposure to collections and digital information; skills training for knowledge creation; and development of information, verbal, written, and multimedia fluencies.

While it is tempting to mimic learning space solutions delivered by other libraries, such appropriation circumvents staff-owned discovery processes that create a deep understanding of, and commitment to, what is being built. Smart preprogramming assessment techniques that tap into local user wisdom, learning habits, and research needs provide a helpful framework for identifying needed solutions.

This Web seminar will review a number of user-centered programming assessment techniques that are field-tested, easy to modify and extemporize on, and reliable in producing excellent data for constructing informed building programs.

In his position at ARL, Crit Stuart develops and implements imaginative and practical strategies that promote and facilitate the integration and use of research library resources and services throughout the research institution. Prior to coming to ARL in May 2007, Stuart was Associate Director for Public Services at the Georgia Tech Library and Information Center. There he coordinated the evolution of library as place, emphasizing enhancements to spaces, technologies, and services to support student productivity and success in a 24-hour environment and to expanding practical partnerships between the library and students, faculty, and student support services. Stuart holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas and a master's of librarianship from Emory University.

To register and learn more about the webcast, visit http://net.educause.edu/live0823.

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.