My partner and I are redesigning our library space, and though we know that the trend is to move towards a more collaborative learning environment, we don't want the library to become a social space, which is a continual issue now.  To this end, we have designed a space that has enclosed collaboration rooms to allow for more conversation, while the library floor would remain a quiet (easily reconfigured) space for individual study or work in pairs. We decided to keep half of our stationary desktop computers (in case the wifi goes out) and add a Chromebook cart so students can sit anywhere with their device.

For those of you who have a collaborative, open-concept design, a few questions:

1) Is noise/socializing an issue?

2) Is there anything that you have done that has worked well?

3) Is there anything that you did that you wish you could change?

4) What is your ratio of desktop to laptop/Chromebooks?  How is it working?

Best,

Monica