Lab NEXT opens to scholars in the Taylor Family Digital Library

University of Calgary scholars now have access to a new hub for research support on the third floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library. Lab NEXT offers collaborative workspaces, makerspace technologies and a range of other services such as visualization, digitization and sharing scholarship through the university’s digital repository, PRISM.

“As research becomes increasingly interdisciplinary, academic libraries must continually evolve by reimagining spaces and implementing new technologies,” explains Tom Hickerson, vice-provost (libraries and cultural resources). “Lab NEXT will play a significant role in an overarching effort to develop a new model for the role of libraries in today's research enterprise."

Lab NEXT brings together new and existing library services and technologies:

• Data management
• Digitization and Repository Services
• GIS
• Makerspace including 3D printing services
• Metadata services
• Virtual reality/one button studio
• Consultation and project rooms 
• Display areas for large-scale visualization
• Consultation “pods,” high-end computers and a teaching screen

 

“Academic libraries throughout North America are emphasizing the ongoing development, augmentation and rethinking of programs and services in order to adapt to the needs of scholars,” says Christie Hurrell, digital initiatives and scholarly communication librarian, who gave a presentation on Lab NEXT at the 2017 Designing Libraries conference at North Carolina State University. “We look forward to seeing how the University of Calgary community will use this space and engage with the services.”

The new makerspace has 3D printers and scanners, a 3D carving machine and a vinyl cutter. To use the makerspace, register for an orientation session, offered every weekday at 10 a.m. beginning Thursday, Nov. 9.

In addition to providing technologies and services, Libraries and Cultural Resources regularly offers workshops on a range of topics that include research data management, open access publishing, copyright management, and makerspace safety orientations. Drop-in consulting services are also being offered out of Lab NEXT weekdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  

Scholars with questions about the new space or services are welcome to contact labnext@ucalgary.ca.