{"id":34094,"date":"2025-11-13T10:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T17:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/?p=34094"},"modified":"2025-11-18T10:46:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T17:46:59","slug":"fundingrecipientspotlight-designinglibrariesxii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/fundingrecipientspotlight-designinglibrariesxii\/","title":{"rendered":"Funding Recipient Spotlight: Designing Libraries XII Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>This is a guest post written by David Hansen, Manager of Administrative Operations at the University of Mexico&#8217;s Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC). David received NNLM Region 4 professional development funds to attend the Designing Libraries XII conference at the University of Rochester&#8217;s River Campus Libraries.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why We Went<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>New Mexico is facing a stark reality: an aging health\u2011care workforce and a rising demand for care across urban and rural communities. As outlined in the UNM Health Science Center\u2019s 10-year strategic plan, the\u00a0next decade must confront both capacity and pipeline &#8211; expanding where and how we teach while modernizing the places where learning happens.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-34140\" src=\"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/11\/HSLIC-300x200.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/11\/HSLIC-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/11\/HSLIC.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>The UNM Hospital\u2019s Critical Care Tower opening this month marks the first visible step in a multi\u2011stage response. Next comes a new School of Medicine building &#8211; with a timeline that targets coming online in roughly five years &#8211; followed by coordinated improvements that strengthen interprofessional education and clinical training across the Health Sciences campus. Recent investments are already moving the needle: the College of Nursing opened a new building that enabled significant growth in nursing programs, and the College of Pharmacy is engaged in a comprehensive renovation that positions them for near\u2011term expansion and success.<\/p>\n<p>Against this backdrop, the HSC plans to double enrollment and scale clinical and academic programs over the next decade. The question for the Health Sciences Library &amp; Informatics Center (HSLIC) was clear: How will the library scale without sacrificing the standards of excellence our users count on? To explore answers, we recently attended the Designing Libraries for the 21st Century conference at the University of Rochester. Our charge was to study how peer institutions are reinventing libraries as high\u2011connectivity hubs and to bring home approaches that fit the realities of health sciences education and care in New Mexico.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What We Discovered<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Walking through Rochester\u2019s library spaces felt like stepping into a series of working hypotheses about the future of libraries:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.library.rochester.edu\/spaces\/izone\"><strong><em>iZone<\/em><\/strong><\/a> functioned as a collaboration pre\u2011incubator &#8211; part studio, part commons &#8211; where students and partners pressure\u2011tested ideas.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.library.rochester.edu\/spaces\/studio-x\"><strong><em>Studio X<\/em><\/strong><\/a> translated emerging technologies into learning tools, lowering the threshold for faculty and students to explore XR (extended reality).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.circ.rochester.edu\/vista\"><strong><em>VISTA<\/em><\/strong> <\/a>data visualization wall transformed \u201chard\u2011to\u2011hold\u201d data into shared inquiry, inviting people to stand together in front of something bigger than a laptop screen and think aloud.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t the specific furniture or brands that impressed us; it was the design logic &#8211; spaces built to welcome different kinds of minds, bodies, and workflows, and a culture that treats iteration as a virtue.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What We Realized<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>On the flight home, we compared notes and kept landing on the same conclusion: HSLIC already holds many of the assets of a future\u2011forward library. We have quiet, wellbeing\u2011aligned options (nap pods, a lactation room, a wellness room) and treadmills with adjustable desks so learners can work while they walk. Several neurodivergent students have reported that the bi\u2011pedal stimulation helps them sustain focus and retain information. We offer varied study settings &#8211; individual and group rooms, carrels, pod chairs, and a reservable classroom &#8211; so patrons can choose sanctuary or collaboration as needed.<\/p>\n<p>We also provide applied learning technologies that move beyond novelty. Our 3D printing service turns complex concepts into tactile learning: recently, a neuro\u2011PT faculty member had us print spinal cross\u2011sections, then asked students to lace the models to map nerve plexuses. The result was embodied understanding, not just a clever object. Our Data Visualization Wall is already enabling visual exploration and storytelling. We see strong potential across HSC &#8211; as examples, biochemistry pathway presentations in the College of Pharmacy and population modeling in the College of Population Health &#8211; along with countless yet\u2011to\u2011be\u2011named use cases as adoption grows.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Centering People: Human\u2011Centered Design at HSLIC<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The key takeaway from Rochester, and in our reflection afterward, was Human\u2011Centered Design (HCD): starting with empathy, recognizing the <em>desire paths<\/em> that users are already creating, and then iterating toward solutions. In practice, this means we will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>listen broadly to students, residents, faculty, clinicians, researchers, and community members;<\/li>\n<li>turn insights into <em>How might we\u2026<\/em> questions;<\/li>\n<li>test in responsible, right\u2011sized ways; and<\/li>\n<li>measure both belonging and friction as we improve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>HCD resonates with HSLIC\u2019s Justice, Equity, and Inclusion commitments: accessibility and cultural affirmation aren\u2019t add\u2011ons; they are design constraints that make the whole system better.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Changing Nature of Libraries &#8211; And Where HSLIC Fits<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Libraries of the past were quiet repositories. Librarians were guides through stacks of information. Libraries of the future, especially in the health sciences, are systems of support: hubs and nodes where knowledge is actively surfaced, where novices find guided on\u2011ramps into credible sources, where clinicians and researchers can move quickly from question to insight.<\/p>\n<p>At HSLIC, we\u2019re shaping that system around three complementary modalities of use:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em>Sanctuary<\/em> &#8211; quiet, sensory\u2011calm spaces that support sustained focus, reflection, and wellness.<\/li>\n<li><em>Collaboration<\/em> &#8211; reconfigurable rooms with large displays, reliable casting, rolling whiteboards, and power density sufficient for real work. (Power is foundational; without it, technology cannot be deployed equitably.)<\/li>\n<li><em>Exploration<\/em> &#8211; spaces that invite hands\u2011on engagement with emerging tools (XR, 3D printing, and data visualization) organized around safety, privacy, and instructional value.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>From Empathy to Action: Our Guiding \u201cHow Might We\u2026?\u201d Statements<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As we synthesize what we heard from learners and instructors across disciplines, HSLIC is using a set of <em>How Might We\u2026<\/em> statements to focus design and investment decisions. A few examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How might we create sensory\u2011calm writing and study sanctuaries for patrons who prefer low\u2011tech environments so that they can focus without overstimulation?<\/li>\n<li>How might we streamline on\u2011the\u2011spot group room access for deadline\u2011driven teams so that setup time shrinks and collaboration starts in minutes?<\/li>\n<li>How might we design reconfigurable, power\u2011rich collaboration zones for mixed\u2011ability groups so that everyone can contribute equitably?<\/li>\n<li>How might we enable bring\u2011your\u2011own\u2011device immersive collaboration for advanced tech users so that library spaces feel adaptive and future\u2011ready?<\/li>\n<li>How might we pilot privacy\u2011preserving XR and visualization practices for interdisciplinary teams so that innovation remains accessible and safe by default?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These aren\u2019t slogans; they are working prompts that help us evaluate options, pick standards, and say yes to what matters.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Strengthening What Works<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>HSLIC\u2019s services already meet a wide range of needs: Ask\u2011a\u2011Librarian, expert literature searches, resource sharing through Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery, orientations to key databases, and guidance for using our learning technologies. As HSC grows, we will expand what we do best:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Build clear starter paths for novice researchers &#8211; topic landing pages and scaffolded search strategies that reduce time to a credible starting point.<\/li>\n<li>Offer rapid evidence support at the point of need, aligned with courses, clerkships, clinical rounds, and quality improvement projects.<\/li>\n<li>Grow data\u2011to\u2011viz consultations that help faculty, students, and teams turn datasets into accessible visuals for proposals, presentations, and publications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>People Power &#8211; Activating Our Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>By November, all current vacancies will be filled across the Public Services, RECIS (Research &amp; Education Clinical Information Services), Administration and RAD (Resources, Archives &amp; Discovery) divisions. A fully staffed team enables us to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>expand embedded instruction and consultations across colleges and programs;<\/li>\n<li>increase technology adoption support (e.g., orientations for the Data Visualization Wall and 3D printing tied to course objectives);<\/li>\n<li>deepen outreach to community partners, consistent with HSC\u2019s service mission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As HSC enrollments and programs scale, proposals for additional staffing will be data\u2011driven and brought through HSC leadership channels at the appropriate time. For now, our focus is on maximizing impact with the structure we have.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How We\u2019re Helping<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We are committing to measures that matter and respect privacy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Belonging &amp; accessibility: a one\u2011item pulse &#8211; \u201cI felt supported here today\u201d &#8211; with an optional field for language\/access needs.<\/li>\n<li>Friction: time from room entry to first successful screen share; device\u2011connect success rate; sensory comfort ratings in quiet zones.<\/li>\n<li>Equity: patterns of use across programs and times; fulfillment of accommodations; uptake of multilingual materials.<\/li>\n<li>Impact: instruction and consults linked to course outcomes, QI projects, grants, and publications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Invitation to Co\u2011design With Us<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you teach, learn, research, or provide care at UNM, we invite you to help shape the next decade of HSLIC.<\/p>\n<p>Tell us:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What would make collaboration rooms <em>effortless<\/em> for your teams?<\/li>\n<li>Which datasets could come alive on the Data Visualization Wall &#8211; biochemistry pathways, population health models, quality metrics, clinical simulations?<\/li>\n<li>What sanctuary features would help you focus or recharge?<\/li>\n<li>Where do novice researchers get stuck, and how can we smooth the path?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>HSLIC is ready to be at the center of the desire paths for all patrons &#8211; where people and knowledge meet. Calm enough for deep thinking. Powerful enough for collaboration. Open enough for innovation that improves health for all New Mexicans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a guest post written by David Hansen, Manager of Administrative Operations at the University of Mexico&#8217;s Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC). David received NNLM Region 4 professional development funds to attend the Designing Libraries XII conference at the University of Rochester&#8217;s River Campus Libraries.\u00a0 Why We Went New Mexico is facing&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/fundingrecipientspotlight-designinglibrariesxii\/\">Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-funding"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34094"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34150,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34094\/revisions\/34150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.nnlm.gov\/region_4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}