New Kid on the Old Block: The Research Commons

Abstract

The advent and use of technology in all human endeavours including academic libraries has brought in its wake the need for libraries to redefine their services to meet the needs of patrons. The application of technology to generate, store, retrieve, disseminate and use information has led to the argument and suggestions that the academic library is fast becoming irrelevant since the students and faculty do not need the physical structures and the traditional sources of information (printed materials) provided by the traditional library to satisfy their information needs. Though the argument that libraries are no longer relevant in the current technological dispensation may sound unrealistic, there is the need for academic libraries to respond to the changing needs and expectations of its patrons and thus cannot continue to adopt a ‘business as usual’ attitude. These libraries therefore have to transit from the traditional ways of doing things and adopt pragmatic measures to meet the challenges of technological changes and to respond to the preferences of its users. It has been observed that the modern day student has been exposed to the use of technology and is more inclined to use technology to access and use information than doing so in the traditional ways. They take advantage of the ability to communicate with one another, connect to the Internet, and access information at all times through laptops and cell phones. Short message service (SMS) and instant messaging enable them maintain constant contact with peers. The Research Commons (RC) is therefore an effective way for the academic library to respond to the changes in the environment. The paper defines the Research Commons, gives a brief background to the RC and shows the basic features of the RC. It highlights the purpose of the Commons; services rendered by the RC and indicate the calibre of staff needed in the Commons. Finally, suggestions on how to develop and maintain the RC are provided and conclude with a word of encouragement that establishing an RC is possible and within the reach of academic libraries in Ghana.