When I began my research, I decided to focus primarily on the transformation process of a traditional library media center to a learning commons model. When I am doing research, I really appreciate literature that is straightforward, clearly laid out and to the point. The following are links to three different articles that I have found helpful in the topic as well as a reference to a book:
Planning and Creating a Library Learning Commons
What I really like about this article is that it has a number of pictures to show what a library commons in an elementary school library could look like. It shows many options for furniture you can have for students to curl up and read. It also shows a computer station, main teaching area and listening center. This article is definitely worth checking out if you get a chance. Please make sure that you are looking at the PDF version.
What I really like about this article is that it has a number of pictures to show what a library commons in an elementary school library could look like. It shows many options for furniture you can have for students to curl up and read. It also shows a computer station, main teaching area and listening center. This article is definitely worth checking out if you get a chance. Please make sure that you are looking at the PDF version.
Hyman, Shannon C. "Planning and Creating a Library Learning Commons." Teacher Librarian 41.3 (2014): 16-21. ProQuest. 25 Jan. 2015.
The Time is Now: Transform Your School LIbrary into a Learning Commons
This article talks about how the learning commons model works in terms of knowledge building, collaboration, and technology. It also discusses how a learning commons is beneficial to students as well as teachers and is considered to be a place of teamwork where users can enjoy the space in a variety of ways and how teachers have the opportunity to collaborate with library staff when using the space.
This article talks about how the learning commons model works in terms of knowledge building, collaboration, and technology. It also discusses how a learning commons is beneficial to students as well as teachers and is considered to be a place of teamwork where users can enjoy the space in a variety of ways and how teachers have the opportunity to collaborate with library staff when using the space.
Koechlin, Carol, Sandi Zwaan, and David V. Loertscher. "The
Time is Now: Transform Your School Library into a Learning Commons." Teacher
Librarian 36.1 (2008): 8-14. ProQuest. 25 Jan. 2015.
The Evolution of a Traditional Library to a Learning Commons
This article focuses mainly on making small changes in order to really open up the space in the library. Examples of this would be moving large shelving and switching to a mobile laptop cart as opposed to desktop computers. It also talks about changing paint colours to create a more calming space. I really like the way this article is written because you can sense the excitement in the author’s voice and can see how simple changes can have such a huge impact on a space.
This article focuses mainly on making small changes in order to really open up the space in the library. Examples of this would be moving large shelving and switching to a mobile laptop cart as opposed to desktop computers. It also talks about changing paint colours to create a more calming space. I really like the way this article is written because you can sense the excitement in the author’s voice and can see how simple changes can have such a huge impact on a space.
The Learning Commons: Seven Simple Steps to Transform Your Library
This final resource is a book that I purchased last year in hopes of using once I finally had my own library. I have browsed through it but am now looking forward to diving deeper into it as I continue my research into the learning commons model. This book offers a step-by-step approach to transforming your library into a learning commons. It is broken down into chapters and what I like is that you can begin by focusing on the chapters that are relevant to your space or will have the most impact. This book also provides lots of visual examples of what changes you could make in your library to fit this model. I highly recommend this book if you are considering the concept of a learning commons or even just wanting to make some small changes in order to make your library more user-friendly.
This final resource is a book that I purchased last year in hopes of using once I finally had my own library. I have browsed through it but am now looking forward to diving deeper into it as I continue my research into the learning commons model. This book offers a step-by-step approach to transforming your library into a learning commons. It is broken down into chapters and what I like is that you can begin by focusing on the chapters that are relevant to your space or will have the most impact. This book also provides lots of visual examples of what changes you could make in your library to fit this model. I highly recommend this book if you are considering the concept of a learning commons or even just wanting to make some small changes in order to make your library more user-friendly.
Harland, Pamela Colburn. The Learning Commons Seven Simple Steps to Transform Your Library. Libraries Unlimited, California, 2011.
Interesting collection of links to what look like great articles and books. I was happy to see some important names in Learning Commons research there, like Koechlin, Carol, Sandi Zwaan, and David V. Loertscher, who are giants in the field. I hope that these articles will help you not only in this class, but in also your own professional transformations!
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