On September 1, Alexandra Houzet joined the Lille campus as head of the future Learning Center. She shares her vision for the project, her first actions, and the specific features of the Lille campus.
The future Learning Center on the Lille campus
A special situation in Lille
While other campuses are focusing on modernizing their existing libraries, the Lille campus currently has no functioning library. The project is therefore part of a complete reconstruction plan. The first step is to reestablish a library, followed by the development of a modern Learning Center in line with the campus's uses and needs.
A two-part, two-stage project
Alexandra outlined the main points of this two-stage project:
The reopening of a documentation center - library
The new documentation center, whose official location will be announced very soon, will feature several areas, including:
- the reopening of a quiet reading and study room, with access to books available for consultation or reservation,
- The provision of a welcoming room designed for group work, discussion, and collaboration. This room will be a welcoming and flexible workspace, accessible by reservation.
A FabLab, with innovative equipment
Innovative equipment with virtual reality devices and experimentation machines can then be added and labeled "FabLab" in spaces adjacent to the Learning Center, or more likely, elsewhere on campus.
Like the Lille campus, which has been working for several years to break down barriers between laboratories and activities, the Learning Center, or AtriuM, will most likely be spread across the entire premises.
The AtriuM on the Lille campus, an accessible and scalable Learning Center
The future Learning Center in Lille will not be a single, static location. The AtriuM on the Lille campus, a resource and work space, will evolve to serve the student, teaching, and administrative communities according to their needs and desires, in partnership with the campus's sponsors.
A first concrete step: Inventory and call for contributions
Alexandra's first task is to inventory the works currently available on campus in order to identify, sort, and centralize existing resources, which until now have been scattered across various laboratories.
Teachers and staff are invited to contribute to the relocation of the future Learning Center by sending Alexandra their suggestions for books to purchase or subscriptions to print journals that would be useful for teaching or research modules.
Who is Alexandra?
Initially a preschool teacher and nursery manager, Alexandra began retraining six years ago by taking a professional degree in "Book and Documentation Professions," with the desire to remain in a career involving customer service and public service.
She gained her first professional experience in the field of documentary filmmaking at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille! After several years at the ENPJJ (National School for Youth Judicial Protection) and then at the University of Lille, she returned to the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille with lots of ideas in mind!
"I am delighted to return to this campus, which gave me my first taste of the world of libraries. I really enjoyed interacting with the students. Today, I hope that the skills I have acquired since leaving will enable me to make the Learning Center in Lille a lively place that is appreciated and recognized by everyone!"
