Presented at CONUL conference, June 2016, Athlone, Ireland by Valerie King.

1. Creative Zone/Blackstone LaunchPad
Boole Library
University College Cork

2. Overview
• Context
• Access to Information/content/research continually
evolving
• Early design phase - experimental
• Blackstone LaunchPad
• Operational Management – Liaison –Co-ordinator
• Implementation & Impact Year 1
• Lessons Learned
• Video – short introduction to Blackstone LaunchPad
and Creative Zone
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

3. Collaborations & access – 15th century
Laurentian Library - Florencewww.museumsinflorence.com
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

4. UCC – Medical Faculty and Library -1980’s
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

5. Group study UCC 1980’s
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

6. Boole Library- Group Study – 2007
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

7. 21st century……Hunt Library and Institute for Emerging Issues
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

8. Library as Lab
The Library as Lab for testing …….Learning Zone
“Use the Library as a lab for analysing user data, and testing smart devices,
furnishings and designs for experimental classrooms” Jeffrey Schnapp Library
Futures Symposium, TCD May 19th 2016.
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

9. Project –early stages
Building & Estates
- Architectural Draughtperson
-Given Brief for different kind of Learning area,
would look different , more relaxed than other
spaces –you could move furniture, re-configure
tables etc……
3D – design……….view on video
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

10. Initial Design….
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

11. …touch points of collaboration
Blackstone LaunchPad……..arrive on campus…….
Location…Location…..Location……
Space and 3D design
Creativity, ideation, energy, open to al
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

12. Location…Location…Location
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

13. Collaboration grows-
Lots of meetings, conversations on all aspects
• Library
• Building & Estates
• Blackstone LaunchPad
• Faculty : Business & Law
• Students: Student Union
• IT Services
- AV
-Sound
-IT Infrastructure
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

14. The nuts and bolts
Hardwiring – infrastructure
Furniture
Design – refinement of
AV/sound
Branding/Advertising
Operational Management
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

15. Challenges
Memorandum of Agreement between UCC
and Blackstone
Important for the Library to keep it open to all
students and staff across all Faculties
50:50 budget split
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

16. Operational Liaison
Support to Blackstone Staff on arrival
- organising office space
- co-ordinating with Library and University
staff on requirements
Regular meetings to discuss use of space
Collaborating on help information which is available
to potential users
Collaborating on the use of online booking/signage
Working closely to help market each others services
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

17. Future Opportunities
Future collaboration on entrepreneurial
projects with Blackstone
Working more with our College Liaison
Librarians
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

18. Implementation & Impact
Not all about the look needs to be about the experience
How do students experience the Creative Zone
Some comments:-
“Its fun” “ I find it relaxing” “cool” “bright and cheery”
“Love the freedom to stretch out on couch”
“being able to pitch my ideas to Blackstone staff its so
easy”
“ being able to re-arrange the furniture to suit you”
“location is ace”
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

19. Types of Activity
-Group work
-Solo working
- Project practice sessions
- 1:1 consultations
- Student Union consultations
-Business & Law – Brainstorming session
- Engineers without Borders – Lego build
-European Entrepreneurial Conference
-University events
- Health Matters – Early morning Tai Chi
- pre-exam stress support
- pet a dog
-Adult colouring
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

20. ..all about the chairs
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

21. ..and more…
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

22. LaunchPad Reception
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

23. Auditorium style for larger events
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

24. Sound
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

25. External view
6/8/2016 Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 2016

26. Lessons Learned
Take time to consider your vision – Lab concept
Do your research, visit, consult your users.
It helps to have an Architect who is your champion
Aim for high quality kit-out
Remain open – agile, adaptable, unrestrictive, keep
evolving the original concept
Budget constraints will always be there but plan
and design for opportunities in the future- they will
come
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016

27. Creative Zone/Blackstone LaunchPad -Video
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016
https://youtu.be/G46qd4gn_TQ

28. Thank you – do come and visit
Valerie King CONUL Conference Athlone 20166/8/2016