Wilmeth Active Learning Center on schedule

Wilmeth Active Learning Center is on schedule to open for the 2017 fall semester to all of campus.

The center, located in the heart of the West Lafayette campus, will serve as a central location for classroom and library space. The 164,000-square-foot facility will house 26 rooms designed for active learning, a pedagogical approach that aims to achieve a greater student-centered learning environment by incorporating active and collaborative learning.

The classrooms will become study spaces after classes end, featuring an atrium looking out at the Bell Tower, as well as a full-service Au Bon Pain café and bakery.

"In planning for the center, Purdue University Libraries faculty and staff have brought learning design expertise based on the creation and success of current active learning classrooms," said Tomalee Doan, associate dean of academic affairs in Purdue Libraries. "We have worked collaboratively with key campus entities in creating this new integrated classroom and study space. 

"In addition, Libraries faculty, including Michael Fosmire, professor of library science and physical sciences, technology and engineering division head, and Vicki Killion, associate professor and division head in life sciences, were on the planning committee to create this new space that facilitates formal and informal learning. This will truly be a student-centered space with a variety of activities, events and versatile spaces open to all students on campus."

Six University library divisions, their collections, new technology and active-learning classrooms will come together in the center. The six are Chemistry; Engineering; Life Sciences; Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences; Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Sciences; and Physics.

As essential study hubs, the remaining library divisions will stay open. That list includes the Archives and Special Collections; the Humanities, Social Science and Education Library; Hicks Undergraduate Library; Mathematical Sciences Library; Aviation Technology Library; Veterinary Medical Library; and Parrish Library of Management and Economics.

For more information, contact Doan at 765-496-2261 or tdoan@purdue.edu, or visit www.lib.purdue.edu/adv/alc.