RESEARCH

What is a Learning Commons?

          Abarbanel, Davis, Hand, & Wittmer (2013) define the learning commons as “a term that refers to a mixed-use space for research, study, collaboration, global connection, and more — with librarians embodying the all-important connection between resources and students” (para. 6).  The “‘village green’, or ‘common,’ was traditionally a place to graze livestock, stage a festival, or meet neighbors. This concept of social utility underlies the philosophy of the modern learning commons, which is a flexible environment built to accommodate multiple learning activities” (Educause, 2011). 

 

Why are some school libraries transitioning from tradional libraries to the library learning commons model?

          As the education world adapts from the industrial teaching model to a more student-centered approach to learning, school libraries too must adjust (Thornburg, 2014; Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2009).  Being the book warehouse is no longer a school library’s primary responsibility.  Instead, advances in technology and research on learning have created the conditions for school libraries to evolve from book storage facilities to physical and virtual learning marketplaces, where the goal is as much to consume information, as it is to use it and share it (Harland, 2011; Valoe, 2011).   Creating a library learning commons provides opportunities for students to not only gain important information and media literacy skills, but also to explore, learn, create, design, invent, share, discover, and develop the skills needed to be successful in the real world. Essentially today’s library learning commons is the stage or the makerspace for students to find themselves and decide how their individual skills and interest can be used constructively in the real world.  While many curriculum areas are focused on covering content under strict time constraints, the learning commons is a place where student learning can be extended and connected to real world skills and interests.

 

 

What do you think about the learning commons model?