Florida State University’s Charlotte Edwards Maguire Medical Library – Small Spaces, Big Ideas: Putting Students First in a Future-Ready Medical Library
Florida State University’s Charlotte Edwards Maguire Medical Library, one of the leading digital medical libraries in the U.S., received its namesake from a goal-driven, admirable pioneer of medicine who dedicated her time, talents, and resources to help curate the model of modern medical education.
Honoring the legacy of Dr. Maguire, Perdue was delighted to be a part of the process of transitioning the medical library at the Florida State University College of Medicine into a space geared towards newer generations of medical, physician assistant, and biomedical science students utilizing this facility. The process included updating the library into a hybrid digital-physical environment, advancing access to medical library e-books, e-journals, research databases, and evidence-based information tools, as well as redesigning the space to foster innovation and academic support that embraces a mentality of professional degree-seeking students who work both independently and collaboratively. Enhancing the user experience with ergonomic furniture, a variety of desk and seating options, upgraded and deliberate lighting, sound dampening, and innovative ideas that take advantage of the allocated space allowed the team of medical librarians to foster a student-centered approach and response to learning.
Some of the key features of this project include technology integration, wayfaring and promotion of medical library services and collections, flexible study/learning zones, fostering a learning commons approach, emphasizing accessibility and inclusion, and focusing on sustainable design that meets students where they are studying individually, together.
The expected impacts of improved academic performance, student satisfaction, increased engagement between faculty medical librarians and students, interdisciplinary collaboration, and greater appeal to prospective students help position Florida State University as a destination for students interested in a future practicing medicine that serves the needs of Florida’s underserved and growing populations.
Speaking to the evolution of the medical library at FSU, library director Dr. Martin Wood shared, “Our goal at the Maguire Medical Library is to put evidence in the hands of future clinicians so that they know how to make informed, evidence-based decisions with their patients. By redesigning our library space to encourage conversation and collaboration while students study individually and together, we mimic the environments where they will be practicing and helping patients and their caregivers as members of interdisciplinary and high-performing healthcare teams.”
Creating collaboration and study zones designed for different study preferences throughout this space with the use of Orangebox pods, Lagunitas study nooks, Flex height-adjustable desking, controlled lighting/power access, and end-user autonomy with adjustable screens, makes for a student-centric and intuitive learning experience, encouraging individual growth and collaboration with peers and experts in the field of medicine and evidence-based practice.
This library upgrade is not just a physical renovation, but a strategic investment in the academic success and future readiness of medical students. By bridging traditional resources with modern innovation, the revitalized Maguire Medical Library will serve as a cornerstone of academic excellence and the transformation of knowledge into medical education, clinical practice, and research.
