VCU Libraries has rolled out upgrades designed to make it easier for students to connect their devices, collaborate and stay powered while working in library spaces.

New app guides users to just the right space to fit their style, mood and need 

The new Explore Spaces web app helps patrons find booths, sunny seats, hidden-away tables–just the right spots for their mood and use. 174 spaces in Cabell Library and 20 spaces in the Health Sciences Library are categorized in the app. 

“Users come into our buildings for a variety of reasons and that those reasons differ with each visit,” said Ashley Brewer. The Senior Web and User Experience Librarian directed creation of the app and led the research effort underlying it. “With each reason, the technology or seating they want or need can also differ, or just the kind of experience they want to have overall. This app helps highlight amenities and feelings of spaces, helping users find their perfect spots.” 

The app was developed in response to student needs and allows exploration of library spaces based on specific criteria. These include the type of seating, presence of power outlets, noise level and accessibility but also include more subjective, affective criteria such as the “vibe,” common uses of a particular space, the amount of natural lighting, in essence, the mood of the space.  

The information that populates the app and inspires the filters came from a survey of users. Student users shared their descriptions and reasons they chose certain spaces. Students’ precise words were used in developing descriptions of the spaces. Spaces are categorized as peaceful, casual, social, cozy, busy, upbeat, tucked away and other descriptions. Filters can suss out spaces that are good for bringing food, decompressing between classes, killing time, locking in and getting work done, people watching, practicing a presentation, taking a Zoom session or an exam and more. 

Not only can users find a space through the mobile-friendly app, but they can also reserve use of reservable spaces. 

https://apps.library.vcu.edu/vcul-spaces

Also aiding wayfinding in Cabell, each floor now has a second large vertical screen that displays that floor’s map and any special information about activity on that floor.

Docking stations added to Cabell first and second floors

New 32-inch monitor docking stations are now available in the public spaces on the first and second floors. Each station includes an attached keyboard and mouse and will charge a connected laptop, offering a convenient, full-featured workspace for individual study or collaborative work.

VCU Libraries since the late 1990s has outfitted workstations with public computers. This is the next generation in public computing. With virtually all students now using laptops that they carry with them daily, the docking stations provide them with a quick and easy way to continue their work on a larger screen. This makes collaboration with others in the library easier and when they’re done, students can grab their laptops and be on their way without having to worry about logging out or making sure their work is saved in the cloud.

Locations of these docking stations are in high-visibility areas–to the right of the information desks, near the printer corral and near the 250 multipurpose room. 28 docking are available to students on the first and second floors.

The Workshop and The Makerspace level up  

On Cabell’s Lower Level, The Workshop is never in a static state. Look for these improvements this fall.

New advanced 3D printers… Two new advanced 3D printers are available for use at no charge for the VCU community. The Prusa XL is a dual-extrusion system that can support multicolor prints and soluble supports. The Prusa CORE One supports different types of plastics, enabling more versatile printing options. New orientations for these printers start in August with beginner-level 3D printing orientation a prerequisite. 

New telescopes…  A new set of telescopes is open for check out for stargazers of any level. Check out the revolutionary tabletop all-in-one ZWO Seestar smart telescope, which allows anyone to connect their phone to capture images of the sun, moon and other planetary objects. For those who want to look through a classic telescope, there is the Explore Scientific FirstLight telescope, which has both manual and motorized capabilities for seeing the night sky. The most advanced option is the RedCat 61, which can be used for professional-grade astrophotography. These telescopes will become soon. Be on the lookout for a special Night Sky event! 

Upgrades to the XRAM Studio…: The XRAM (Extended Reality and Advanced Media) Studio is undergoing some big upgrades. A new orientation model is designed to welcome more users into the space. Come learn about The Workshop’s impressive video game collection and how to get started with interactive media projects, such as video games, motion captures or immersive reality. Also, look for three training "add-ons," covering the use of AR/VR headsets, motion capture tools, and haptic feedback suits. Coming later in the fall, look for updates to the screen and lighting grid, all to bring advanced media projects to the next level.

The Makerspace at the Health Sciences Library also offers upgrades. 

A new 3D printer and and enhanced print capabilities… A Prusa XL with a larger print bed was added. Two other printers were upgraded with support for multiple filaments.

New audio recording kits… Audio recording kits now have H6 Zoom audio recorders. These kits can be checked out to create audio recordings wherever your project takes you.

More loanable cameras…Health Sciences Library extended its roster of digital cameras with the addition of two Canon EOS R100 mirrorless cameras. In addition to other DSLR cameras these kits can be checked out for seven days from the service desk.

USB charging now available in Cabell’s first-floor study rooms

A small upgrade with a big convenience factor is the addition of electric outlets with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

During the summer, Cabell library staff identified several damaged electrical outlets during routine maintenance. Instead of replacing with normal outlets, one outlet in each first-floor study room was replaced with an outlet with USB charging capabilities.

All first-floor study rooms now have one electrical outlet equipped with both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, making it easier for patrons to charge phones, tablets and other devices without needing a charging brick. USB-C port is the universal standard on modern smartphones, tablets and laptops while USB-A is the older plug, commonly used on older tech. 

VCU Libraries will install USB-A and USB-C ports in additional study rooms when possible. 

Other study room upgrades:

• All display cables in the study rooms have been replaced with USB-C connectors, ensuring compatibility with most modern laptops. 
• Students whose devices use HDMI can check out an adapter at the front desk; please note that these adapters carry video only and will not charge connected devices.