Earl Gregg Swem Library currently houses the Center for Geospatial Analysis, a modest space tucked away on the second floor of the library. There is no space for designated for digital humanities. We know scholars and learners need an inspiring space to experiment and engage with digital tools.
Data visualization, digital humanities, data science and geospatial information systems are areas that can benefit from a collaborative space to work and find expertise.
The “Architecture of Happiness” by Alain De Botton talks about the indelible connection between our identities and our locations. We embrace this philosophy and are easing ourselves into new roles- as facilitators, leaders and partners- as it relates to space for teaching and learning. This lab will draw people in, encourage new relationships and result in new scholarship.
Great learning spaces can be a disappointment if they aren’t managed well. It’s a missed opportunity if libraries don’t embrace partners who bring deep expertise when developing new learning environments. Our partners will include the Center for Geospatial Analysis, academic departments, the Vice Provost for Research, the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation, and continues to grow to include other campus entities.
The audience for this project are the students, faculty, staff, and community partners of the College of William & Mary.
The academic programs that will benefit from the space and coordination:
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Data Science
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Social Science Research Methods Center (SSRMC)
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Center for Geospatial Analysis (CGA)
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Global Research Institute
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AidData
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Institute for Integrative Conservation
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Computational Foreign Language Analytics
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Computational Anthropology
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Business Analytics
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Computational Applied Math and Statistics (CAMS)
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Systematic Text Analysis for International Relations (STAIR)
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Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations (ITPIR)
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Computational Linguistics (CELL)
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BioMath Initiative
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Center for African Development (CAD)
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Roy R. Charles Center for Academic Excellence
There is currently no space for these groups to work together across campus. Having the information experts available in a shared space with these academic teammates will be a model for raising awareness for licensed content, open data and information in general. Specific information needs include data sets, maps, and resources for text and data mining. Information needs are important, however, library users/William & Mary students and faculty and not just consumers of information. They are also creators of new information, making discoveries of their own. Students and scholars are an important part of the scholarly communication cycle. The digital research lab* will give them the spaces and resources as well as access to experts to create and share their research and scholarship.
