This Spring, the Bertrand Library launched a new public-facing space dedicated to digital collaboration, innovation, teaching, and research. This new space, named the Digital Scholarship Center (DSC), provides a comfortable and accessible space where members of the Bucknell community can collaborate on digital work, learn more about the best methods for employing technological tools in scholarly applications, and discover and experiment with emerging technologies.å
Supporting Collaboration
The DSC is a space designed around collaboration. It is re-configurable, allowing it to be used for large discussions, small hands-on working groups, and a variety of working and meeting styles. Large format flat-screen video displays allow for digital work to be demonstrated, discussed, and worked on in real time. Video conferencing capabilities allow distant colleagues to collaborate on local projects. Diane Jakacki, the library’s Digital Scholarship Coordinator, is available to assist in developing effective methods of collaboration utilizing the space provided by the center. Since the launch of the center in February, it has been host to a variety of activities, including Faculty Learning Groups, digital project planning meetings, and technology demonstrations.
Integrating Digital Approaches
The DSC provides a space for the Digital Scholarship Coordinator, ITEC team members, and others to demonstrate promising methods for integrating digital tools and techniques into classes and research. Technological demonstrations allow members of the campus community to learn about tools they may not have been aware of and to discover best practices for using these tools. Demonstrations of tools will be held weekly, and a schedule of these is available on the Bucknell Digital Initiatives website. Up-and-coming technologies of interest include Marca, a web-based platform for writing instruction, and Spiderscribe, an online mind-mapping and brainstorming tool.
Exploring Emerging Technology
The DSC houses interesting emerging technologies, making them accessible for faculty and students who want to experiment and get a sense for what is possible in teaching and research. The Digital Scholarship Coordinators provide support for this exploration, allowing members of the Bucknell community to get involved with cutting edge technology, regardless of their skill level. One of the most popular tools housed in the center is the library’s Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer, which allows faculty and staff to quickly and easily start learning about the possibilities opened up by 3D printing.