In 2007, a 23 million dollar renovation project was completed on the Georgia State University Library. A result of this “transformation” project was the Learning Commons space and the Learning Commons Department. The Learning Commons Department was born to serve undergraduates as the Liaison Department primarily served graduate students. A year later, the Learning Commons space has been quite successful –computer use is at a premium and students seem to enjoy the group study rooms. The only thing missing was the integration of the Learning Commons department into the academic and cultural life of the Georgia State University undergraduate experience.

To solve this problem, the Learning Commons department decided to embark on a new journey of collaboration and marketing. The presenter will detail how the Learning Commons used business principles to turn the Learning Commons to a place rather than just a space. With programming, additional services such as writing support, and marketing, the Learning Commons is slowly becoming a place. The presenter will present examples of programming done with the marketing approach used and the outcome of each event; collaboration and partnership opportunities with various campus units such as the Office of New Student Programs and Orientations; and focusing on customer service via improving reference services.