Indiana University South Bend

Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café

The Dorene Dwyer Media Commons & Café, located on the first floor of the Franklin D. Schurz Library at IU South Bend, is a user-centered environment which features a café, a space to view cable TV news or DVDs or listen to audio recordings, a renovated circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan services area, and a state-of-the-art multimedia production studio, with expert assistance provided by Instructional Media Services staff.

Once again, with the generous lead gift from Jerry and Dorene Hammes, the Schurz Library and Media Services renovated the space on the east side of the first floor to create the Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café. This new space has continued the Library’s tradition of innovation which included the highly successful Fall 2007 opening of the Hammes Information Commons. The Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café provides students with the resources, technology, and services that will allow them to complete their media projects. Additionally, it offers students an exciting environment which encourages creativity as they study and design media-enhanced projects.

The Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café has four new areas: the Multimedia Production Studio, the Café, the AV Nook, and the Circulation Hub.

Multimedia Production Studio

The Multimedia Production Studio provides a wide range of technology and software for students to create multimedia enhanced presentations for course projects. The room has sound-proofing to allow for high quality recording. State-of-the-art equipment in the Studio includes:

• Green screen effects system.
• Pre-lit video shooting studio.
• Audio editing with Garageband and Adobe Soundbooth.
• Audio recording with various microphones, a 12 channel mixer and sound dampening.
• Video editing with Final Cut Express and Adobe Premiere Pro, as well as special effects design with Adobe After Effects.
• Full 2D design suite from Adobe, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
• Large screen monitor for screening of projects.
• Consultation and production assistance from trained Instructional Media Services staff by appointment.

The Café

The Café has café tables and chairs, along with soft seating, located near outlets for students to plug in their laptops. This flexible, welcoming area for students also has a variety of newspapers, magazines, and an eco-friendly 55" LED TV to view news programming. The LED TV consumes up to 40 percent less power, has low heat emission and uses long-life, mercury-free bulbs.

Digital AV Nook

The Digital AV Nook offers individual and group viewing and listening areas in a space shared with the Café. Technology in this area includes media viewing stations featuring Blu-Ray DVD/VHS combination players and 19" monitors. This space is located close to the circulation desk where media material is kept.

Circulation Hub

The Circulation Hub is located in the center of the Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons and Café. It is the "go-to" place for circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan services.

The Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café was designed by the IU Architect's Office. Ancon Construction Company was the general contractor and most of the furniture is from Herman Miller, a company with a long history of commitment to environmental stewardship. The total cost of the project was just over $200,000 which was paid for primarily from private donations.

A ceremony was held on October 21, 2009, dedicating the space to Dorene Hammes. Photos of the ceremony are available at Dedication of the Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café webpage.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Michele Russo, Dean of Library Services, at mrusso@iusb.edu or (574) 520-4448.

Photos

Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café

Dedication of the Dorene Dwyer Hammes Media Commons & Café

Renovation of Circulation Area

Construction of Circulation Area

Demolition of Circulation Area

Moving of Circulation Area

Circulation Area