Growth of a Library Learning Commons

In my last post I discussed my interest in exploring how to convert a library to a learning commons. I was also interested in what kind of technology should be added to a library learning commons. As I began to search, I found that having both these topics might be a bit too broad for one inquiry, and so I decided to focus mostly on the conversion question. When I was first brainstorming ideas, I had a strong feeling that technology would be a big part of the conversion, and I still believe this, however I think it’s too big of a topic to lump in with the conversion research.

As I suspected, my first Google search “converting library to learning commons” returned a hefty number of hits...over eight million! Exploring the list of results, I came across some valuable documents.

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The first hit, from Leading Learning, “What is a Library Learning Commons?”

 defines what a learning commons is and serves as a working document for the teacher-librarian to use as a guide.

The next document that caught my eye was one published by the BCTLA called “From School Library to Library Learning Commons”. I like that this one is published by our local professional association and gives a good description of the expectations of a library learning commons.

This video is a description of the core values of a library learning commons and a justification for change, as well as some history on the learning commons concept. 

“The ‘Why’ Behind A School’s Learning Commons” is a great blog post on Learning the Now that also helps with the justification of a conversion. It’s easy to read and will help the teacher-librarian address some of the questions that arise from skeptical staff and school community.

Lastly, an article called “From library to learning commons” published in Teacher Librarian (2015) details one secondary school’s conversion story, giving teacher-librarians an example of the challenges and experiences that could arise.

The biggest challenge in this research was paring it down to only five sources! There are so many good resources available right now. The idea of converting a library to a learning commons has been around long enough for many to have researched the experience and gone through it. My biggest take-away after this week and after reading many sources is that the conversion is very much a process that could take many years and will likely evolve as time passes. Much like the classroom teacher who is constantly seeking to improve their practice and “grow” with their learners, the teacher-librarian will go through a similar growth process with their learning commons as they work in the space with their students.