Campus & Community Engagement

Campus & Community Engagement
Campus & Community Engagement
Uniquely positioned at the intersection of information, technology, and innovation, the Florida International University (FIU) Libraries act as a forum for the free exchange of ideas and a platform for knowledge creation and transference. In keeping with this mission, the Glenn Hubert Library at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC), situated between Miami Shores/North Miami and North Miami Beach/Aventura east of Biscayne Boulevard on NE 151st street, serves the needs of FIU faculty, staff, and students – as well as the local community.

Libraries are not just repositories of dusty books or serious places of study, but places where people can come together and have fun while engaging in life-long learning. In keeping with this, cultural and academic programming is part of FIU’s status as a Community Engaged University, as recognized by the Carnegie Foundation.

Recent public events include a one-man play on the life and times of Ernest Hemingway, during the 2015 Banned Books Week; an evening art opening for the Tropical Botanic Artists and their watercolor display “In Deep with Diatoms,” and a panel discussion on the nexus of art and science. The Hubert Library also unveiled a donated mural painted by the Peruvian artist and Amazonian activist Jaime Choclote, who also spoke about his work protecting indigenous peoples and the environment, in 2013.

Areas of the library have received LED lighting upgrades, and the Hubert Library now includes 250 linear feet of track-lit gallery space that also enhances adjacent group seating on both the first and second. A moveable stage supporting presentations supports events for up to 120 people, and new audio and video technology will be in place by 2017.

Student centered programming has expanded, including Gaming Days with space for various video game consoles as well as board games, and Coloring Days, where patrons to create their own artistic works with materials provided by the library. Hubert Library community art exhibits also include photographs from awardees of the FIU Annual International Student Photo Context and library staff curated exhibits.

Making Technology Easily Accessible

The Hubert Library understands that students need access to the latest technology in order to succeed. The recently renovated ASK!

“Academic Skills and Knowledge Center” on the second floor is a student learning and support zone for writing, grammar, math, languages, study-skills, library and database research, and academic technology use.

The Center houses 177 new seats, including 53 PC computers and 12 Apple computers capable of digital video editing, and is known for its expansive views (there are no drop power poles from the ceiling) across the entire south side of the 2nd floor.

The space includes 32 peer-tutor learning and student interaction stations, for students getting personalized assistance with assignments or studying with friends. There are three wireless laptop bars and perimeter interaction seats – all have access to electrical and wireless network services.

A high-definition TV lounge has two screens for viewing Blu-ray, cable-TV and university digital signage – where students relax and use headsets loaned from the library, or their own Ipod or other earbuds.

Glass whiteboards and innovative seating for group study sit next to new shelving around columns with LED lighting adjacent to the computers, fostering access to new learning resources by students at point-of-need.

The library also offers accessories such as chargers, headphones, and flash drives, so students never have to be without the necessary tools for study and community members never have to be without resources for work or recreation. There also is an online web chat during business hours, where patrons can get their questions answered and communicate directly to a librarian.


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