Based on student feedback for “More STELAR-like spaces” and seeing students hanging around the STELAR (St. Thomas E-Learning and Resource) center on the lower level of O’Shaughnessy-Frey, the libraries partnered with ITS to upgrade some of its group study spaces. 

Six rooms were picked for upgrades. These upgrades include webcams, wireless keyboards, wireless mice and large wall mounted displays for group collaboration. Rooms 321 and 322 each received SMART Boards. Room 110, next to Stacks Café, received a computer for two large dual monitors. The three rooms opened for student use on Tuesday, September 12th. Rooms 312B, 421, and 422 will become available later in the week. These rooms will be compatible with webcams and will feature 60-inch screens in a conference room style layout.  

All the upgrades were inspired to better facilitate group work and student collaboration.  Students using large group rooms will no longer have to huddle around a small screen or be tied to a computer in the corner of the room. Students now can pass control around the table, enhancing participation and encourage new ideas. Now that the rooms are equipped with video capabilities, programs such as Zoom can be used when needed.   

Two group rooms in Keffer Library on Minneapolis campus have large screen and webcam technologies as well. This will bring a greater consistency to the collaborative student experience across the two campuses. 

Reserve a group study at any one of our locations today!