“The university is growing, and these changes are proof of that. We’ve “flipped” the library by changing its core concept from “keep silent” to “communication, communication, communication.” The key ideas according to which the space was designed is mixing and co-creating, meaning that everyone has the opportunity to work on their own or with others, meet friends from other faculties, and, in time, join forces to make a dream come true – be it a joint startup or an interdisciplinary research project,” says Daria Kozlova, ITMO University’s First Vice Rector.
Co-creating space
The new coworking space can be found on the third floor of the Lomonosova 9 campus, to the left from the main stairwell. Its largest area, referred to as the co-creating space, is where you can sit down with a laptop or use one of the public computers.
At the visitors’ disposal are shared desks, couches, and poufs. All workspaces are equipped with power outlets. Students and ITMO staff can make use of 9 public computers: 5 iMacs and 4 Windows-based Lenovo PCs.
For negotiations
The coworking has four conference rooms – one for eight people and three for four – where you can hold a small-scale event or discuss a project. There are also several open meeting booths, each seating up to six people.
Visitors can reserve conference rooms and booths for any time period between 9 AM and 9 PM. This can be done via ISU: simply go to Центр приложений (Application Center) => Бронирование помещений (Booking) => Коворкинг Ломоносова (Lomonosova Coworking Space). When booking a room for two hours and longer, users will need to specify the purpose of the reservation.
For lectures and conferences
The coworking also includes two conference halls that can be used for events or presentations. The larger of the two is an amphitheater with seating for 80 in the form of a tribune (equipped with power outlets) as well as poufs.
Also found there is a water fountain with hot and cold water; to use it, you’ll need to bring your own mug or bottle. Single-use cups are not provided in support of a student-led environmental initiative.
The smaller conference hall is located across the room and contains ten collapsible desks as well as a group discussion table and soft seats. This conference room also houses three open meeting booths and the larger of the conference rooms.
Both conference halls are equipped with projectors for presentation purposes. The halls can be booked via ISU using the same procedure as described above.
Working hours
The coworking area, like its Kronverksky counterpart, is open 24/7. Staff are present from 9 AM till 9 PM, which is also when the conference rooms are available for use.
Have questions or suggestions on how to improve the Lomonosova 9 coworking space? Use this feedback form.
Library redux
On December 1, 2020 a new library will open in room 1505 on the 5th floor of the Lomonosova 9 campus. The new space will consist of a reading hall and an open library section.
“The coworkings and the library are all part of a single organism, but the main difference between the two spaces on Lomonosova is that the fifth floor is where you can go to work or study when you need to concentrate and delve into study material; the third floor is for when you need to work with a team or hang out together,” says Kirill Aleksandrov, deputy head of the Strategic Communications Department at ITMO.
List of contents
Once you’ve checked out a book or a journal from the open library section, you can read it at the library, at the coworking space, or even take it home – all without the need to fill out a check-out slip.
To take a book home, simply use your campus card – which also functions as a library card – at a special terminal. Visitors don’t even need to notify anyone that they’re taking it home. Books can be returned later using another terminal.
A special section will be provided at the library where readers can leave a book for the night and get back to it on the next day.
To use the library, all one needs to do is sign up via ISU.
“The library staff will help you find the right literature and suggest which libraries might have it in digital form. Our specialists will also consult you on the various scientific journals, explain the various scientometric indicators, and help with finding a publisher for your work,” says Yulia Novikova, head of the library.
A bookcrossing area is also expected to open at the coworking space.
Working hours
For the duration of the distance learning period, the library will be open from 9 AM till 9 PM.
In the near future, students will be able to pick up their library orders at the coworking space outside of the library’s working hours – same goes for returning them.
To follow the latest updates on the library’s opening, visit its VK page or Telegram channel.
One-stop shop for handy material
Students, researchers, and academic staff at ITMO can already make use of the library’s new website.
Using the EBSCO Discovery Service, they can search for publications, textbooks, and other documents within all databases to which ITMO University has access. That means there is now no need to search within each individual database.
The website includes all the necessary information about the library: how to gain remote access to ITMO’s digital database, how to order and return books, request books from other libraries, or book a conference room at the coworking. An English-language version of the website is currently in development.
“Right now, we’re making an emphasis on digital platforms. The website will allow everyone to search for books and articles not only in our own database, but in all those to which ITMO owns a subscription. And you can do that at the coworking space, at the library, or even at home. We’re a digital university, so it’s only natural that the library should be digital, too,” comments Yulia Novikova.
The website also includes a guide to publishing articles and papers for authors and researchers. Be sure to also check out our recent article on how to publish your research in scientific journals.
The ITMO University library welcomes feedback. To ask a question or share a suggestion, use the feedback form on the website, write an email to library@itmo.ru, visit its VK page, or call +7 (812) 764-81-56.
