This image was taken using the Google Cardboard Camera, panning around for a 360 degree shot of the library space. These images can be viewed with a Google Cardboard VR Viewer upon request at the library front desk.
When entering the library, there are glass cases to the left before the front desk currently displaying items from the University Archives. A quick reference computer and event materials are easy to see on a counter to the right Straight ahead are small seating areas with large tables on either side before a series of wide windows overlooking the football field.
Moving away from the busier library front desk space, there are a few short shelves holding reference books flanked on each side wall by alternating study room and lounge nooks. The study rooms feature red dry erase boards and roughly half the rooms have televisions students can connect to their devices mounted on the wall. While some study rooms are fully enclosed, some are partially open to the main space.
In between individual study rooms are study nooks with soft seating, large windows, and bookshelves for popular reading books, DVDs, and other browsing collections.
To the far right of the entrance, the library's books are located on compact shelving. Librarian offices flank the entrance and library main desk, with study rooms on either side of the offices. In front of the compact shelving are two large tables divided into computer stations, with a print station nearby. Small seating groups separate the computer tables from large study tables with coordinated but intentionally mismatched chairs and tabletop power outlets.
At the end of the library space, flanked by study rooms and nooks, is an open space with soft seating and cafe seating along floor-to-ceiling windows.
Right outside the library space are a large classroom space that can be divided into two smaller meeting rooms and a gaming/tv lounge for students.
So what did the people visiting the libraries think about Ottawa's Gangwish Library? Here are some of their responses:
What did you like most about the Ottawa University Library?
"I liked that the study rooms were placed on the perimeter of the library. It was nice to see several different ways to study (e.g. social seating pods, large desks for multiple people, divide spaces with desktops). I really liked the natural light and all the windows from floor to ceiling."
"I liked how not only their color schemes but their overall space that was evident. You could easily move things around to have events."
What did you like the least?
"Nothing I could find that I did not like."
"I did not like that students could not bring in food or drink. I found the red writing boards to be silly and expensive."
Is there anything you would change?
"Get rid of the stack shelving. It takes too much time."
"hmm...."
What are five words you would use to describe the Ottawa University Gangwish Library?
"Big. Coordinated. Lighted. Together. Fun."
"Spacious. Relaxing. Accomodating. Colorful. Fun."
