Information Commons

In brief

• The central open area includes 18 Y-shaped tables with a capacity of 108 desktop computers; most are PCs.
• There are also 6 iMacs, 2 kiosk workstations, and 2 flatbed scanners. (See Library floor maps – 1st Floor (pdf) / 2nd Floor (pdf)
• The Information Commons also includes 4 teaching rooms, each with a capacity of 25 networked computers.
• In addition, there are 20 desktop computers on the second floor.
• If you are using the computers in the Information Commons, you should be able to access most Library resources — including databases, ebooks, and ejournals — with no logins or passwords required.
• Software applications include Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and more – View a list in PDF.
• The latest version of the course-related applications (Math, Psychology, Computer Science and Writing) is available on the VMware View Server that can be accessed from any computers.

More details

The Information Commons here at Brookdale opened in September 1999 as a key component in the new Bankier Library. It is described in the 1997 Program Statement (PDF) as a marriage of networked resources and the print resources of the Library’s Reference Room.

A central open area was designed to include nineteen Y-shaped tables with desktop computers for the use of students and community visitors.

The Help Desk staff includes librarians, technicians and support staff, to serve students’ information needs across all formats and curricula. View floor plans in PDF.

What can students do in the Information Commons? Start with our homepage for access to the online catalog and to browse licensed databases on remote servers. Each computer in the Commons is loaded with the latest versions of Microsoft Office, web browsers, and other useful applications. (Specific curriculum software is loaded at the request of the instructor.)  Assistance with any of these activities is readily available at the Help Desk.

The Information Commons also includes four teaching rooms, each with a capacity of 25 networked computers. These rooms serve Information Literacy needs across the curriculum. When they are not booked for use by classes, these rooms are open as part of the Information Commons.

Every individual study carrel and collaborative study room on the 2nd floor of the Library has power and network access; that’s about 200 additional access points for future expansion of desktop technology or for students to bring their own laptops.

Wireless network access is available anywhere in the Library.

Questions? Email library@brookdalecc.edu    

Useful phone numbers:
General Information: 732-224-2706
Information Desk (1st Floor): 732-224-3886
Circulation Desk (2nd Floor): 732-224-2935
Research Help Desk (1st Floor): 732-224-2443
Technical Help Desk (1st Floor): 732-224-2431