UC San Diego

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Library’s inaugural Learning Spaces (LSP) Program was formally established on July 1, 2013 through a library-wide reorganization process spanning 2012-2014. As a new program whose offerings remain in development, 2013-2014 presented the opportunity organizationally to initiate new library services and amenities and to adopt a new path based on the program’s initial strategic objectives.  This chapter details several of the ways in which the program began during its first year to accomplish its goals of engaging library users, building a sense of community and patron ownership within the library’s learning spaces, establishing a culture of assessment among program staff, and developing library spaces where students feel welcomed and supported in their academic life.  Activities detailed in the chapter are provided as examples for other libraries working toward similar outcomes.  Additionally, a limited literature review of library engagement and community building in libraries is presented, along with research support for many of the Learning Spaces Program’s new initiatives.