The University Libraries Introduce OpenRoom, an Online Room Reservation Scheduling Software

On November 9, 2009, the University Libraries released an upgraded version of OpenRoom, an online Web-based reservation software utility designed by Libraries’ personnel to aid with the management of study rooms in Bracken Library. An enhancement to this upgrade is that its source code can be shared with other organizations interested in using it.

OpenRoom offers many customizable features, such as themes for changing the look and feel of the interface, form customization for changing the type of information users must submit, and even flexibility for specifying the way users log into the system. If a feature is not available in OpenRoom, its modular design makes it easy to plug in a custom-made component.

Through the optimization of the code and the prominent use of AJAX—a set of popular Web development techniques—OpenRoom offers a fast load time and requires fewer page refreshes, providing its users with a faster and less confusing online reservation utility.

OpenRoom is configured to allow students and faculty to make reservations during the current year for the coming year. The OpenRoom system has many controls, including the earliest date a reservation can be made (e.g. 01/01/10) and the latest date a reservation can be made (e.g. 05/04/10.)

The first version of the software was originally introduced in early January 2008 to make it easier for students and faculty to reserve spaces in Bracken Library for study groups, meetings, and classes. Since its introduction, more than 3,500 users have made more than 22,000 reservations using the system, and that number is growing.

The University Libraries invite others who are interested to license this software for scheduling space and other resources. There is no cost to non-profit organizations. Please contact Bradley D. Faust, Assistant Dean for Library Information Technology Services, BFaust@bsu.edu, 765-285-8032.

If you have technical questions regarding OpenRoom, contact Robert L. Seaton, Web Development Analyst, RLSeaton@bsu.edu, 765-285-8032.

Bracken Library’s Study and Conference Rooms Offer Quality Space for Collaborative Study, Meetings

The Ball State University’s Bracken Library offers students, faculty, and Ball State Community Members a variety of comfortable study and conference rooms for collaborative study, learning, and small conferences. There are 17 rooms. Of these, 16 of them seat between 6 and 20 persons, and one room accommodates 90 persons. These small and large rooms must be reserved and are also available to staff and campus organizations for meetings, project discussions, colloquia, and planning.

The type of equipment available in each room depends upon the room itself. All of them offer wireless connectivity, and many offer projection screens, chalk boards, and bulletin boards. All of the rooms have tables and chairs and many of the rooms offer a computer monitor for laptop presentations. Visit www.bsu.edu/library/studyrooms to view an equipment inventory for each room and to see a photograph of the space.

Laptops, iBooks, digital projectors, pc microphones, digital cameras, media card readers, a SMART Board, and other equipment are also available for use in these rooms. Items can be checked out from the Libraries’ Educational Resources Collections (Bracken lower level) as aids for group and/or personal study.

Bracken Library’s hours are good, too, since we are open 120.5 hours a week, including until 3:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. With wireless connections throughout the library, students can get on-the-spot reference help using instant messenger clients such as AOL, MSN, and Yahoo. The Bookmark Café provides a great place to take a study break with a variety of snacks and beverages.

In the near future, Bracken Library’s study and conference rooms can be reserved online. While this module is being developed, students and faculty and members of the Ball State Community can reserve a room or ask questions through personnel at the Periodicals desk, in person or by phone, (765) 285-5146.