The Library at OSU Institute of Technology was recently awarded a grant of $30,000 from the Roy and Mariana Holleman Foundation, which distributes funds to academic library science programs.

The grant will be used to create and furnish a media:scape room, a private and collaborative space away from the main library area that will accommodate a larger group of students or staff, said Library Director Jenny Duncan.

“We can now have meetings and conferences for people that need a larger room equipped with technology,” Duncan said. “It’s one more option for faculty, staff and students to study and collaborate. It gives the library one more service to offer and to promote library use.”

The grant provides the funding for two 32-inch monitors, desk and chairs, six laptops, personal marker boards, components for high-definition videoconferencing and six media connector Pucks, which allow patrons to share content more easily via laptops.

Collaboration was the main objective when it came to choosing everything from the technology to the furniture in the new media:scape room, Duncan said.

“The room will integrate furniture and technology to reshape the way patrons collaborate in a connected world,” she said. “It will allow patrons to contribute their ideas equally, seamlessly and quickly and provide face-to-face seating arrangements between patrons that is more conducive to discussions and create a team collaboration zone.”

Duncan said she applied for the grant in May and the funds will become available in December. The media:scape room is expected to open some time in the spring 2015 trimester.

“Students will have a space to collaborate and practice presentations. The room will provide them with a new, quiet space away from the main library,” she said. “This also provides then with a space to utilize technology in a completely new way.”