To continue providing students with top-tier learning & research spaces, the University of Michigan has renovated the third floor of Shapiro Library, resulting in the Stephen S. Clark Commons. The 37,000GSF space provides students with access to an open and welcoming environment for study and collaboration. 

The University sought to enhance the space for academic discovery by providing a variety of spaces, services, and tools that support user exploration, creation, and sharing to empower researchers, scholars and learners to be successful in their academic careers.

Upon entering the space, students are greeted by a student exhibition space accompanied by an adjoining student gallery. With standing space for 20-25 patrons, the Shapiro Gallery serves as a multipurpose space for short-term exhibits & student engagement initiatives. The Shapiro Reading Room provides students with space for quiet, focused study. Several tables with integrated plugs (standard and USB) are accompanied by comfortable seating options. 

A portion of the space is dedicated to the Digital Scholarship Suite, where students can access help with research data, metadata, visualization, research impact, copyright, open access, and publishing. In addition to individual discovery, students can schedule appointments with Library professionals to further discuss research methods and models. The Digital Scholarship Suite supports student innovation and experimentation within the library organization and provides a model for testing ideas from proposal to implementation.

Several large, open collaboration areas are designated throughout the space, including a Living Room area with a round “bar” style desk space for individual study and several tables for team use. Private study rooms are located throughout the space and available for reservation through the Library’s internal systems. Additionally, meeting rooms of various sizes are available for use throughout the third floor.