Active Learning within Knowledge-center Libraries:Developing“ Learning” at our University Library

What kind of“ learning” should be developed in our university library? The library is considered“ a knowledge- center.” It is also recognized as a space for active learning, apart from classroom interaction- by the community, Japanese educators, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The university library aims to provide effective methods for learning-in both typical and modern style materials and techniques-to encourage students to spend more time studying on their leisure time in a fun and interactive way. At present, our university strives to conduct an educational program and informative research which would encourage the students to be more independent. Therefore, we have developed and structured a library wherein students could work on their school requirements by themselves with ease and easy access. We aim to provide a place that can be mutually shared by both students and instructors, which would later yield to a more intellectual learning. We value education, and we believe that the best way to contribute to our university is to provide our students and teachers an appropriate area where they can further enhance their wisdom and knowledge, through various forms of media. This essay will provide detailed concepts for each floor at the time of development（ as of November 2013）. The library remains a solemn environment to allow the people to concentrate and focus on what they are studying on. It also has an area that would involve activities and workshops, suited for lively group learning and PBL. Up until now, our library did not have such activity-creating concepts. This change is foreseen as a vital diversity for learning. In order to reform this, we conducted a student survey to find out what more can be offered for the betterment of our students’ education. As a result, the majority of the students wanted to have a more“ feminine space”. This implies their demand that they be given a learning space which could be styled in a more fashionable, adult-like way, be equipped with the latest information tools, be more spacious and organized, be more interactive, and for it to still have a quiet environment for those who would want to study on their own. The students want to be given a space where they can discuss matters with each other. They also suggested on having a lounge area where they can listen to music, and have their snacks and drinks. Their belongings are also one of their major concerns, so they would like to be given room to place their belongings somewhere close to them, as not to bother other library enthusiasts. These opinions among the student body was then evaluated and discussed among the staff and faculty members of the university these improvements were necessary to provide a more interesting library which would encourage students to use more often than that of the past. We, the instructors of the university, also aim to make our students inquisitive, logical, and analytical, in every possible way. With this library development, we envision a more comfortable space for learning for both the students and the instructors. These changes are not merely for the purpose of dealing with the students’ pleas, but because we strongly believe that such vital changes were necessary to create a more improved educational outcome in accordance to the pursuit of excellence the students and instructors can contribute to the university, and vice versa. Through this project, instructors and students will be able to work face-to-face. The instructors will then learn what the students want. The students will be able to develop the required skills needed for their education and research. This is one learning area our university should develop