Instructional Designers Forrest Warner and Michael Revenaugh recently discussed the genesis and impact of Burke Library’s new production/privacy booths in an episode of SUNY Oswego’s “Tea for Teaching” podcast. An opportunity to participate arose when they met host John Kane at last year’s Educause conference in Chicago, where the pair presented the booths initiative as a poster.
Warner and Revenaugh explained how the project evolved – from recognizing the need for such spaces, to the popularity of the initial two phone booth style booths, to the four much larger, eight-by-eight foot booths that are available now. They said that Burke Library’s 2023 first-floor renovation was timely for the new booth construction of the new booths because the floorplan could be reworked to accommodate them.
They also discussed ways the booths are being used, not only as production spaces and for privacy during telehealth and therapy sessions, but also for job interviews, a quiet study space, small group class assignments, and personal podcasts. Faculty and staff can also take advantage of the spaces.
“The library is for everyone, so everyone is welcome to come in and use these spaces. And we think that has really been reflected in the numbers,” Revenaugh said.
He also recognized the importance of partnering with the Health and Wellness Center “as far as publicizing [the booths] to the students and making sure that we had the right setup, … that the right equipment was here, … that students knew about them and felt comfortable.”
