Our Mission. The mission of the George A. Smathers Libraries is to meet the information needs of the University of Florida community by serving as a catalyst for research and discovery. The burgeoning use of technology has had a profound impact on the information seeking and research behavior of library users. Library facilities are evolving from collection-centered to learning-centered institutions. A vital component of that process is the development of an Information Commons area designed to foster collaborative learning in a creative environment while matching patron needs with the latest resources and technologies.

The Facility. The Information Commons, located on the third floor of Library West, offers a total of 130 workstations with basic productivity software divided into five separate areas:

General Information Commons (throughout 3rd floor)
Digital Media Center (East end of 3rd floor) (available Spring 2007)
Production Studios/ADA Rooms (Rooms 335 and 336) (available Spring 2007)
Media Viewing/Video-Conferencing Room (Room 229) (available Spring 2007)
Group Presentation Area (East end of 3rd floor, adjacent to Digital Media Center) (available Spring 2007)

Workstations in the Digital Media Center enable web design and audio/video creation and editing. Two Production Studios/ADA rooms, including these production capabilities and a number of accessibility tools, are available for reservation. In addition, a Media Viewing/Video-conferencing Room and Group Presentation Area are available for reservation. For more information, review the Media Areas: Hardware and Software and Reservations pages.

Scanners are available for conversion of documents and photographs throughout the 3rd floor Information Commons. For conversion of slides and microform materials, please use the Digital Microform Scanners that are available behind the 3rd floor Research Assistance Desk.