Open House March 28 to Celebrate the New Collaborative Study and Information Facility at Franklin Field: Education Commons	Print Issue
March 20, 2012, Volume 58, No. 26

The Penn Libraries are pleased to announce the opening of the Education Commons at Franklin Field, a state-of-the-art study and information facility that supports teaching and collaborative learning. To mark the opening, the Libraries are hosting an open house with refreshments and mementos on March 28, from 2-5 p.m. All are invited. 

Located on the mezzanine of the George A. Weiss Pavilion, the Education Commons comprises 6,400 square feet and 168 seats. Its flexible, technology-rich work environments were inspired by the Libraries' Weigle Information Commons in Van Pelt-Dietrich.  In the hands of architect Joel Sanders, the Education Commons adds an unparalleled architectural experience to the concept first explored in the Weigle space.  A dramatic series of curved planes envelop the ceiling and the monumental arched windows of Franklin Field visually join the interior space with the expanse of lawns and tree-lined walkways that will make up Shoemaker Green, now under construction opposite the stadium.

Within the Commons, students and faculty will have access to an 18-seat, glass-enclosed seminar room, equipped with a computer and an 80" video display. There are eight reservable study rooms—each with a computer and large flat panel LCD screen—that can accommodate groups of four to ten. A variety of open seating in banquettes and in soft furniture provides flexibility for individual or group use.  Librarians will staff the facility to help students with technology and to work with faculty and University staff on program development.  The Libraries are presently collaborating with academic support services across campus to develop workshops and discipline-based programming geared to undergraduate students.