WAC Bennett Master Space Plan Report
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SFU W.A.C. BENNETT LIBRARY MASTER SPACE PLAN Located in the centre of the Burnaby Campus, the W.A.C. Bennett Library is an active campus partner supporting the learning, research and community engagement goals of Simon Fraser University. iv CONTENTS 01 Executive Summary 2 02 Introduction 5 03 Masterplan Methodology 9 04 Outcomes 12 05 Renewal Highlights 17 06 Phasing 20 07 Campus Master Plan Coordination 24 08 Appendices 25 A NEW CONNECTION FROM THE NORTH CAMPUS TO CONVOCATION MALL 01 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SFU has the opportunity to transform the W.A.C. Bennett Library into an inspiring learning and research hub for future generations of students and faculty. Located in the centre of the Burnaby Campus, the and born-digital objects. The renovation will allow W.A.C. Bennett Library is viewed by the campus modern displays, efficient storage, and a state-of- community as a place of knowledge discovery, the art digitization lab. Space for Special Collections creation, and exchange; a central hub where and Rare Books will be doubled, with secure archival students and faculty connect across communities to storage, a new conservation lab, and a dedicated collections, research tools, and expertise. teaching lab. Supporting faculty and students across all disciplines Enhancing Learning on the Burnaby Campus, the Library is open 350 Valuing social collaboration and peer-to-peer days a year, 100 hours a week, 24/7 for exams, and contact, today’s learners see themselves as authors averages 3,750 visitors a day, and nearly double-that of their academic journey, one they design rather at peak periods. Unlike other institutions, the Bennett than passively accept. Through hands-on exploration Library is the only library on the Burnaby campus, and peer-led experiential learning, students and serving all graduate, undergraduate, and faculty researchers will develop the literacies needed to needs. navigate complex digital environments. The renovated Library will be technology-rich and will more than The SFU Burnaby 2065 Campus Master Plan has double the current learning space with inviting social identified the W.A.C. Bennett Library as part of the spaces, many collaboration rooms, inspirational historic campus core, and one of the ensemble of study spaces, expanded student learning commons, iconic buildings at the heart of the Burnaby campus to innovative media and maker commons, and new be celebrated and preserved. learning labs. The landscape of unique spaces – quiet, loud, focused, dynamic - will support students Constructed over 50 years ago, the Library’s systems in becoming highly qualified lifelong learners and and infrastructure are in need of a significant half- engaged citizens. life upgrade to create a safe and environmentally sustainable building. With these upgrades SFU Engaging Research has the opportunity to transform the Library into Emerging technologies, computational tools, and data an inspiring learning and research hub for future have enabled researchers to ask new questions and generations of students and faculty, one that enables explore new methods. The new faculty commons, discovery, enhances learning, engages research, and visualization lab, digital scholarship centre, and a fosters, respects and sustains our community. much expanded research commons, will connect emerging research agendas with the Library’s Enabling Discovery and Preservation expertise in data and information discovery, analysis, Electronic information and digital tools create an visualization, management, and preservation. These increasingly open learning and research environment. new research spaces will foster collaboration and The Library connects the physical and digital world interaction across disciplines, and support the and makes it easy to discover, evaluate, analyze and development and dissemination of high-quality share information. To ensure information is available research and the exploration of new forms of to future generations, the Library preserves scholarly scholarship. and cultural materials, encompassing both physical SFU W.A.C. BENNETT LIBRARY MASTER SPACE PLAN 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY / CONT Respecting Indigenous Cultures Planning Process At Simon Fraser University, we live and work on The planning process began with a high level the unceded traditional territories of the Coast feasibility study for the renewal of the W.A.C. Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Bennett Library to meet current code and safety Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlílwətaɬ (Tsleil- requirements, address its deferred maintenance Waututh) Nations. As a step on the path of (see Appendix), and was continued by a master Reconciliation, Indigenous communities will be planning process to reimagine the functional layout consulted on how to best reflect Indigenous heritage of the building. An Advisory Committee of University and serve Indigenous needs in the building. stakeholders and a Working Committee of Planning and Library employees were established to guide Fostering Community the process. To imagine a possibility for a more The Library respects and values diversity, and innovative, forward looking library, the planning team engages our community by creating and hosting undertook a robust stakeholder engagement process. vibrant programs in interdisciplinary, shared They reviewed current best practices in the design spaces like the planned learning and events room. of academic research libraries; analyzed community Using design, adaptive technology, staff presence, demand data; gathered input from faculty, students, way finding, interpretive elements, and diverse and employees through stakeholder workshops, open workspaces, the revitalized Library will provide houses, surveys, and focus groups; and developed a universal accessibility, connecting people with their building programme and spatial organization. own health and natural surroundings. Phased approach Sustaining Support The Master Space Plan has identified a first phase of Inclusive, healthy and flexible support areas enhance work to include the necessary structural and systems Library operations. Consolidating support areas upgrades as well as comprehensive programmatic adjacent to service points will allow efficient use renovations to the interior of the existing building. of space and save employee time. Collocating staff As the planned functional programme cannot be who work most closely together will encourage fully accommodated in this phase, a second phase collaboration. expansion will consolidate the collection, increase space for research, and meet benchmark targets for student learning space. LEARNING RESEARCH SUPPORT COMM LEARNING UNITY LEARNING COLLECTIONS COMM LEARNING UNITY SUPPORT COM UN LEARNING ITY SUPPORT ON CAMPUS BUILDING COLLECTIONS LEARN INFRA SUP STORAGE ING STRUCTURE COLLECTIONS PORT BUILDING SUP INFRASTRUCTURE COLLECTIONS PORT SFU W.A.C. BENNETT LIBRARY MASTER SPACE PLAN 3 30,000 3,000,000 STUDENTS VOLUMES 120,000 10,000,000 ALUMNI DIGITAL FILES 6,500 98,000 FACULTY JOURNAL AND STAFF SUBSCRIPTIONS SFU W.A.C. BENNETT LIBRARY MASTER SPACE PLAN 4 02 INTRODUCTION Rather than being a specific design, a master plan consists of performance criteria that guides future renovations. A master plan is a nimble road map for the adaptation most community-engaged research university. of a building in order to respond to future need, The University now extends to three distinct campus evolution, and relevant trends in education. campuses (Burnaby, Surrey, and downtown Rather than being a specific design, a master Vancouver), used by 30,000 students, 6,500 faculty plan consists of performance criteria for spatial and staff, 120,000 alumni. SFU is consistently ranked relationships, systems improvements, programme among Canada’s top universities in major national and allocations, and growth projections. This criteria will global ranking systems, including Maclean’s, Times guide future renovations. Higher Education, and QS World University Rankings. Constructed over 50 years ago, the W.A.C. Bennett Library Context at SFU Library’s systems and infrastructure are in need of The W.A.C. Bennett Library is an active learning a significant half-life upgrade to create a healthy and place, supporting teaching and learning needs and environmentally sustainable building. With these enhancing the student experience overall. Library upgrades SFU has the opportunity to transform the research assistance and technical support are library into an inspiring learning and research hub for provided both in person and through online help. future generations of students and faculty. Support for the enhancement of writing and learning skills is provided through the Student Learning This report is complimented by appended documents: Commons. i. “W.A.C. Bennett Library Building Space The library plays a central role in SFU’s research Report February 14, 2017” enterprise. Librarians provide a broad range ii. “Feasibility Study Base Building Renewal + of specialized subject support to students and Program Changes W.A.C. Bennett Library faculty. The Research Commons provides a hub Building January 24, 2017” by Hlynsky + for supporting graduate students and advanced Davis Architects Inc. undergraduates pursuing research and academic iii “SFU W.A.C. Bennett Library Load Review, development agendas. The library offers a variety June 12, 2014” by Read Jones Christoffersen of services and supports for digital scholarship and Ltd. research data management. The Digitization Lab supports the digitization needs of faculty