Study Space Locator now available for Athens campus

Ohio University students have a new tool at their disposal to help them find study spaces on the Athens campus. 

The Study Space Locator, released this month, facilitates the discovery of study spaces by location. Users can select indoor or outdoor spaces to read descriptions, review available amenities, and access links to study space hours and reservations. Indoor study spaces are noted on the map by the darkened campus buildings, while outdoor spaces are indicated by the red dots. Users can also enable the app to help find the closest study space to their locations.  

Students need a variety of convenient study spaces to meet their needs throughout the semester. Whether it’s close to class, food, or parking, or it has scenic views for quiet inspiration, this tool helps students explore and discover spaces across the Athens campus to maximize their study time.  

El Polinski, a senior English major and library student employee remarked, “This will be especially useful for students looking to get out of their dorm rooms and find a different place to study on campus.”

The Study Space Locator was originally conceived by the OHIO Campus Study Space Task Force, which consists of students, faculty, and representatives from Housing and Residence Life, Baker University Center, University Planning, the Office of Information Technology, and University Libraries. 

The task force first created a master list of campus study spaces that are open to all students, regardless of major or college affiliation. The information was later incorporated into the Study Space Locator, a web-based application that is built with the ArcGIS mapping platform.

Dr. Kelly Broughton, assistant dean for research and education services and chair of the task force explains, “We were fortunate to partner with staff in design and construction to build the app in ArcGIS.  We’re pleased that [the] Libraries’ staff are able to maintain and update the content going forward.”  

Those staff will share information and future plans for the tool at the University’s GIS Day on November 16. 

Students and faculty are encouraged to provide feedback about the new map via a survey. To request the addition of study spaces to the map, please contact Broughton.