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SL-library-collaborationCanisius College has placed increased emphasis on collaborative learning in the past several years. That means students are exchanging ideas and learning from one another beyond the classroom and that has changed how students use library space. Students are doing more group work; peer tutoring has become more prevalent; and there has been increased demand for presentation space due to oral communication requirements in the curriculum and more opportunities for students to present their work.

The Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library has responded to these needs by adding more group study spaces. There are rooms equipped with technology to facilitate collaboration and afford opportunities to practice presentations. The technology allows students to connect their own devices to one shared display, use audio, video, interactive white boards and online conferencing, or students can meet for discussion with no technology in use.

Data shows a significant demand for group study rooms, starting with 786 reservations in fall 2012 and increasing to 2800 requests in fall 2015. The rooms can be reserved by current Canisius students here for up to three hours at a time.

Submitted by: Sara Morris, associate vice president, academic affairs