In March the State Library of Ohio awarded Thomas Library a LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant funded by the Institute of Library and Museum Services to create four collaborative, technology-enhanced work stations to support partnerships between Wittenberg and organizations in the Greater Springfield Community. These stations will include a large, flat-panel screen so that group members can work together while viewing the same screen.

Currently we observe groups crowding around a single, small computer screen. We hope this project will satisfy a need for spaces where groups can share information informally.

Work is scheduled to begin this summer and we hope to have the work stations ready for the fall semester. You’ll be able to see two of the stations on the main floor near the windows in the reference area and the other two will be located in study rooms on the third floor.

Kristen Gibson, grant administrator, wrote the grant proposal with consultation from Library faculty and staff, Audiovisual Services, IT Services, Physical Plant and the Purchasing Office. Kristen Collier, director of Community Service, and Stephanie McCuistion, director of the Susan Hirt-Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement, will help to promote the project to groups that represent collaborative efforts between Wittenberg and the Greater Springfield Community.