Grants and Acquisitions

Abstract

The Claremont Colleges Library has been selected to receive a grant from Steelcase Education supporting the installation of an active learning classroom as part of the Active Learning Center program. With the installation of a classroom valued at $65,000, the Claremont Colleges Library will positively impact teaching and learning by supporting a variety of pedagogical approaches in a flexible and inclusive setting. The grant provides funding for modern, movable furniture, design support, onsite training, installation, and pre- and post- measurement tools. The new Steelcase Education learning environment will be installed in the Keck Learning Room on the second floor of the library by Tangram, the designated vendor for Steelcase Education, beginning in summer 2017. Installation is scheduled to be completed before the fall semester begins. The new classroom has height-adjustable tables perfect for creating a clear sightline between students and instructors, enabling optimal conversation and collaboration. The new space will enable librarians to incorporate active learning strategies into the classes they teach on information literacy, primary source literacy, and digital scholarship. It will also serve as the laboratory for the Center for Teaching and Learning housed in the library, which is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. In addition to receiving a new classroom, the Claremont Colleges Library will receive training from Steelcase on the uses of the furniture and technology in this new space, and will also have the opportunity to share insights and best practices with other educational institutions.