CREATING KNOWLEDGE FACILITIES FOR KNOWLEDGE WORK IN THE ACADEMIC-LIBRARY

Based on the work of a planning group of staff from across the library representing both technical and public services, a new facility calle d the Knowledge Navigation Center (KNC) opened. No positions were dedi cated specifically to the KNC. Located in the Harland Hatcher Graduate Library, the center housed seven workstations and a mix of Macintosh and Windows platforms with an array of peripheral equipment. The initi al software collection, all network mounted, included nearly 100 resou rces falling into several general categories: Internet tools from brow sers to Web design software, imaging tools and multimedia design softw are, distance learning tools, presentation software, OCR and other too ls for text applications, and GIS software and resources. In trying to define focus, and recognizing that no staff member could be expected to develop expertise in all the possible areas users might need, the p lanning group identified five main specialty areas: GIS, imaging and m ultimedia, text, distance learning/interactive technologies, and Inter net tools. Publicity about the center stressed these five areas and at tempted to convey a broad mission for the center in knowledge retrieva l and creation.