The Ohio State University Libraries Research Commons

The Research Commons at The Ohio State University is a fantastic resource for students and faculty embarking on projects at any point in the research process. Located in the 18th Avenue Library, the Research Commons’ mission is to

leverage campus partnerships to provide support services at each stage of the research lifecycle. It enhances the Libraries’ mission by providing a hub for collaborative, interdisciplinary research that is both expertise and technology enabled.

The library offers a wide range of resources, including workshops, one-on-one consultation and high-tech workspaces. The Research Commons maintains a balance of providing research support and resources to support research.

When the Research Commons was created in 2016, a task force began to identify the needs of the campus. Support for geographic information system (GIS) services, information management and data management were uncovered. The Commons’ resources are scalable, free and available. Services include research impact, designed to help measure projects through metrics and enhance their impact, and data management, providing resources to help manage data throughout a project’s lifecycle. With librarians and experts on hand, the Research Commons provides assistance, connects experts with resources and teaches research best practices.

Head of Research Services Meris Longmeier shared launching and growing the Research Commons has been a great experience. When she joined the university six years ago, the Research Commons was just an idea. She has helped to shape the space and programming. Now, she manages a growing staff of 10 employees and continues to identify and support new initiatives as the popularity of the Research Commons spreads.

The Research Commons showcases the work of the researchers across the university. By featuring projects on screens in the library and promoting the work of research collaborators through campuswide communications, students and faculty learn of their colleagues’ work and the Research Commons demonstrates its support. Through monthly faculty forums, professors share their accomplishments. Additionally, the library also hosts special events, including GIS day, collaborative events with the City of Dublin and partnerships with Ohio State Advance.

Research Commons partners and collaborates across the university with industry liaisons, the Office of Research, the Supercomputer Center and many other organizations to highlight services and share information. Upcoming workshops include Corporate Research Engagement and introductory classes on an assortment of advanced software available for use in the Research Commons computer lab.

The library offers a variety of spaces available for classes and groups of all sizes to reserve. The newly designed space is bright, clean and attractive, with easy-to-arrange furniture to accommodate the needs of groups attending events. Rooms are equipped with cutting edge technology, making it easy to present, connect, share and collaborate. The 18th Avenue Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and librarians at the Research Commons are available for consultation throughout the week. It is phenomenal resource for researchers at Ohio State, with caring staff and outstanding opportunities to learn.