Library Hi Tech News

Purpose – The purpose of this conceptual paper is to highlight the increasing need for libraries to support collaborative learning and to review possible physical arrangements of computer laboratories that are supportive of collaborative learning.

Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature was conducted to look at the interface of the concepts of collaborative learning and physical arrangements of computer laboratories.

Findings – The review of the literature surfaced four suggested physical arrangements of computers for collaborative work; kidney-shaped tables, trapezoid tables and half-circle tables, and Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education sociopetal workstations. After reviewing these arrangements, the paper suggest an additional arrangement with increased potential for face to face collaboration; full-circle with recessed monitors.

Originality/value – As new libraries are built and others renovated, these five physical arrangements provide for ways that computer laboratories can be designed to meeting the increasing need for user collaboration.