Technology
Labs
Information Commons in the Beatley Library
The Libraries and Technology work together to provide students with an Information Commons: conveniently adjacent computers, study spaces, resources, group study rooms (some with built-in technology) and expertise that students need to be academically successful. There are three service points to help students in the Information Commons: the Library Access Desk circulates books and reserve materials, the Library Reference Desk provides research assistance and help finding and evaluating information, and the Technology Desk provides technical assistance and help using hardware and software.
The Technology Desk is located on the 1st floor. Staff are available to assist users with software support, saving and printing documents, and to answer questions and direct users to related technology resources on campus. You may borrow wireless laptops from the Technology Desk. The Technology Desk is staffed during library hours.
On the 1st and 2nd floors of the library, there are over 90 computers, including Windows computers, Macintoshes, and Express Web Stations (for quick Internet/email access). The Macintosh iMacs are equipped with iMovie. On each floor there are black and white duplex printers, and accessibility workstations. There is a color printer on the first floor; and scanning stations on both floors. All printers in the library are governed by the Public Printing Policy; also see Printing Policy and Tips.
Visitors may use the Express Web Stations, which do not require a Simmons username and password. If you need to print, please ask staff at the Technology Desk for a Fenway Card; you can add money to the Fenway Card with a credit card. A Technology Desk staff will assist you with logging into a Windows or Macintosh computer.
On the ground floor, use the Media Viewing and Listening room to view videos or broadcasts faculty might assign for class. The room has 22 stations, each with a computer (11 Windows XP and 11 Mac X loaded with Simmons software), DVD/VCR player, access to Simmons broadcast television, and audio inputs for headphones. You can check out headphones from the Technology Desk. For better sound quality (for audio recordings for your music class, for example), ask the Technology Desk staff to check out a pair of high-end headphones.
On the ground, 1st and 2nd floors, there are six group study rooms with built-in technology for students. Each of these six rooms are equipped with DVD/VCR players, access to Simmons broadcast television, projectors or LCD TVs, and cables to connect a laptop. Bring your own laptop or borrow one from the Technology Desk.
The two group study rooms on the ground floor include built-in cameras and mics for students to record onto DVD. The possibilities are endless. You can create raw footage for a movie you are editing, record a mock interview, or record yourself practicing a presentation. Please note: unfortunately, it is time consuming to learn to use the recording equipment. We strongly encourage you to attend a training about how to use the room before you schedule a time to record: sign up at the Technology Desk. You need to supply your own DVD-R (that's what you'll record onto), which you can purchase from the Simmons Bookstore, or from any office or computer supply store.
Use the Library web site to reserve time in a group study room; in the text box type: group study rooms.