Starting in early 2006,Center for Information Technology and Library staff began working with others on campus to develop the concept for an Academic Commons on the main level of Mudd Center. After much work, the Academic Commons opened at the start of the 2007-08 Academic Year. This facility combines Library reference, circulation, interlibrary loan and reserve, with computer workstations, a multi-media facility, electronic classroom, several group study rooms with large screen displays, collaborative work areas, comfortable seating, and a café with current periodicals nearby.

The goal of Academic Commons is to provide coordinated research, information, technology, and learning assistance for Oberlin students. The Commons is an academic community space designed to support group study and encourage faculty-student interaction.

Technology facilities within the Academic Commons include:

• Technology Services Center (TSC): The computer help desk for students. This is the location where students can get assistance from other students. Students may bring their computers in for technical assistance, such as help connecting to the residential network (Resnet), or assistance with other computer-related issues.

  TSC Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 2 P.M. to Midnight, Friday 2-5 P.M., Sunday: 4 P.M. to Midnight (Closed Saturday). For assistance during closed times, users should send an email to cit@oberlin.edu.

• Information Desk: The Information Desk has two parts, one staffed by Reference Librarians, and one staffed at various times by a CIT student staff member. The CIT person will be available to answer questions about use of software on the Commons' workstations, or resolve problems with those workstations and/or the onsite printers. If a CIT Student Staff member is noit present at the Info Desk, visit the TSC for assistance.

• Multimedia Facility: The multi-media facility consists of four Macintosh video editing stations, with scanners, and one Windows scanning station. All the computers come equipped with iMovie and the Macs also have Final Cut Pro installed, along with specialized Final Cut Pro keyboards. Also located in this facility is a video-viewing area, containing comfortable seating and a large screen display to view drafts and/or finished work. This facility will be staffed as resources permit.

• Workstations: There are 29 computers available for use in the open area: 20 Macintosh and 9 Windows computers. These are available in 7 groups of 3, 1 group of 6, and 2 three-quarter round booth-like collaborative areas. One additional three-quarter round booth is fitted with connections for a laptop.

• Printers: There are three general-use printers located near the restrooms, and one multipurpose printer in the Multimedia facility.

• Electronic Classroom: This facility is used by Reference Librarians and others, for classes and instruction during the day, and is available for student use in the evening hours and at times when not scheduled for classes. The classroom has 24 Macintosh computers and a large screen display. The computers in the center of the room are laptops which are placed on carts and available for checkout from the Circulation Desk when not needed for classroom instruction.

• Large Screen Displays: Each of the six Group Study Rooms located in the Commons is equipped with a 46" Sony Bravia LCD flat-panel display which can be hooked up to a computer or other video output device.