iSchool Digital Laboratory (Library)
Opened in 2010, the state-of-the-art Digital Laboratory was created to give students hands-on experience with digital library and digital preservation technologies. Read more about the research potential of this facility or contact iSchool Associate Professor Karen F. Gracy, Ph.D., at kgracy@kent.edu or 330-672-0049 for more information.
Marcus Thomas Focus Group Room (Franklin Hall)
Students in the advertising, public relations and electronic media classes are fortunate to have access to the focus group room to gain insights on audience attitudes and perceptions. The room’s observation area sports a one-way window and theater-style seating and is equipped with built-in cameras and microphones, flat-screen LCD TVs, projectors, wireless touch panels for controlling cameras, a DVD burner and a digital mixer. Professionals also use the space to conduct research. The room is named after Marcus Thomas, Cleveland’s renowned integrated marketing communications agency.
Reinberger Children’s Library Center & Marantz Picturebook Collection (Kent Library)
The Reinberger Children’s Library Center, a state-of-the-art research and teaching resource that opened in 2003, holds more than 7,000 books, including many picture books, teen books, award winners, popups and movables, board books and multimedia. It also houses the renowned Marantz Picturebook Collection for the Study of Picturebook Art, featuring more than more than 25,000 picture books from the past 40 years, as well as posters, original artwork and character toys.
iSchool Usability Lab (Kent Library)
The Usability Lab in the School of Information uses state-of-the-art technologies — including eye tracking, multiple camera views and detailed analysis software — to assess user behavior and interaction with a website or search engine, for example, to guide or improve its structure and architecture. The lab is used mainly by faculty and students in the Master of Science user experience (UX) concentration. It also is used by other faculty whose research can be assisted by this technology.
User Experience (UX) Lab (IdeaBase)
Located in Franklin Hall, the UX Lab at IdeaBase is used to conduct eye tracking and usability research . The lab also includes virtual reality (VR) headsets for checkout.