Creating Knowledge Facilities for Knowledge Work in the Academic Library

Based on the work of a planning group of staff from across the library representing both technical and public services, a new facility called the Knowledge Navigation Center (KNC) opened. No positions were dedicated specifically to the KNC. Located in the Harland Hatcher Graduate Library, the center housed seven workstations and a mix of Macintosh and Windows platforms with an array of peripheral equipment. The initial software collection, all network mounted, included nearly 100 resources falling into several general categories: Internet tools form browsers to Web design software, imaging tools and multimedia design software, distance learning tools, presentation software, OCR and other tools for text applications, and GIS software and resources. In trying to define focus, and recognizing that no staff member could be expected to develop expertise in all the possible areas users might need, the planning group identified five main specialty areas: GIS, imaging and multimedia, text, distance learning/interactive technologies, and Internet tools. Publicity about the center stressed these five areas and attempted to convey a broad mission for the center in knowledge retrieval and creation.