1. The Learning Commons: A New Direction for 21st Century Libraries
Kelly Wescott
LIBR 233

2. Old Library Storage facility for books
Little technology- only a few outdated computers
Old big bulky furniture
"The library once was a place to find and check out books.  But today, the library is a center of interactive learning" (Valoe, 2011).
The library was looked at as a storage facility and the librarians as a person to help an individual find the books.  Many libraries lacked computers or only had a few which were used mostly to access the catalog and find materials.  Much of the furniture in the library was heavy and sturdy so it wouldn't break but also was unable to be moved.  Most students only came to get books and then left.  The library was not seen as a place to work on group projects or read.
Helping students find and retrieve books is still one of the job duties of librarians but  the job has greatly evovled.

3. Old Library
Librarian seen as the "keeper of the books" rather than an playing an active part in student learning
Boring
Lack of collaboration between staff
This is the image that many people still have of the library/librarian in their mind They beleive she is there to sshhh people and guard the books.  The library was not seen as a fun place where an abundant amount of learning took place.  It was a place that held a large amount of dusty outdated materials.  Students did not feel comfortable in the space.

4. Old Library
The interaction through the website is only one way with the librarian putting up information and students passively taking it in.  This type of website is only utilized by students who are looking for a book or doing research.  There is little learning being done and the majority of students do not utilize the site.  The site has no active communication or participate and is boring.
The learning commons will change this.  The library will no longer be a one way website but will be an interactive and collaborative place where students can add and create their own information. 
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5. -Lance, Rodney, & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000
The Learning Commons
The highest achieving students come from schools with a good school library center.
-Lance, Rodney, & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000
Numerous studies show there is a clear link between the quality of library media programs in schools staffed by an experienced school library media specialist and student academic achievement. School library media centers can contribute to improved student achievement by providing up-to-date instructional materials aligned to the curriculum and instructional practices, collaborating with and supporting teachers, administrators, and parents, and extending their hours of operation beyond the school day (American Library Association, 2011).

6. -Loertscher, Koechlin, & Zwaan, p.54, 2008
Research
"The school library has a long and successful history of improving student achievement through collaboration."  "Research has consistently shown that in schools where the teacher-librarian and the classroom teacher collaborate to design, teach, and assess learning experiences together, test scores are consistently higher."
-Loertscher, Koechlin, & Zwaan, p.54, 2008
The virtual space will provide an abundance of areas for staff, students, and the teacher-librarian to collaborate on projects, lesson plans, or homework.  The physical space will also be set up so that groups can meet to work together.

7. -The Condition of US Libraries: School Library Trends 1999-2009
Research
"Ninety-seven percent of Americans agree that school library programs are an essential part of the education experience because they provide resources to students and teachers."
-The Condition of US Libraries: School Library Trends
This research speaks for itself.  Many Americans feel that the SLMS is a very important part of their child's education.  The learning commons will be an inviting place that will have the resources and tools that students need to succeed in school and life.

8. AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
Be able to use skills,resources, & tools to:
Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as a member of our democratic society
Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
       AASL: Standards for the 21st Century Learner
The American Association for School Librarians put out these standards a few years ago as being essential to students growing up in the 21st century. 
The Learning Commons is a place that will help students develop and grow these skills to get them ready for the future. 

9. Building a Learning Commons
The learning commons will be both a physical and virtual place where students, teachers, parents and administrators can learn, grow, collaborate, interact, communicate, play, and work. 
Koechlin, Rosenfeld, & Loertscher, p.9, 2010

10. Building a Learning Commons
“In order to be successful in a world characterized by rapid change, today’s students not only need to build deep understanding of various disciplinary knowledge, they also need to learn transferable 21st century skills that boost their critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and communicating abilities.”
-Koechlin, Rosenfeld, & Loertscher, p.1, 2010
It is no longer acceptable for students to only be able to read and write.  They now must possess multiple literacies and be able to use technology proficently.  The learning commons and various members of the staff that work in the commons can help students build these competencies through teaching them how to search for informaiton and use technology.

11. Communication & The Learning Commons
Communication will no longer be one sided with the librarian only giving information to students, teachers, parents etc.  Communication will go both ways so that everyone is learning from each other.  Students can teach the librarian and teachers how to use various web 2.0 tools,  All parties will be in a constant dialog about new ideas or issues they are facing.  The teacher and teacher-librarian will no longer be the only "teachers".  Students will also become teachers because they have a lot of knowledge especially when it pertains to technology that they can share.  There will be constant learning and communication going on.

12. Building a Learning Commons
Technology
Laptops
Wireless Network
E-Readers
Technology is very important to the learning commons.   Students must be able to move around with computers so they can have group meetings while still accessing the internet. 
E-readers are also very popular with students and are light and easy to carry around.  Pilot e-reader program where the library can test how well students like them.  The library can loan them out for certain a certain period of time so that all the students can get a chance to test them out.  E-readers offer privacy to students, this is especially important to teens who are sometimes embarassed about what they are reading and don't like peers to know.
Image from

13. Physical Learning Commons
Circulating Book Collection
Open Spaces
Bright and Natural Light
Lightweight Furniture that is Easy to Move
Spaces for Groups to Meet
Comfortable Chairs for Individuals
Small Group Meetings
Book Displays
Experimental Learning Center
All the furniture will be on casters so that it can be moved around easily to accomadate students needs.  There will be a circulating book collection so that teachers will have a constant influx of new materials in their classroom.  This will also free up space in the learning commons.  The book display in the learning commons will also have a look similar to a bookstore.  The books will be showcased highlighting different genres and themes.  This will be done to engage students and get them interested in reading.  There will also be an inviting section with comfortable chairs.

14. Experimental Learning Center
Center for Schools Professional Learning Community
Collaborative Strategies
Professional Development
New Teacher Orientation & Development
Cross Grade Level Initiatives
Grant Writing
School Wide Initiatives
Testing for New Curriculum
Teachers and staff can use this place to plan and work out new lesson plans and collaborate together.  It is a place to experiment with new ideas and techologies to see how they will work in the classroom.  It is also a place for new teachers to learn and be mentored by more senior teachers.
This is a physical space in the library but also has a virtual aspect where teachers can post updates on what they are doing and lessons plans that are in progress.

15. Virtual Learning Commons
24/7 Access
Class Blogs
Book Talks and Trailers
Web 2.0 Tools & Technologies
Spaces for Groups to Meet
Showcase Students Work
Virtual Book Clubs
Knowledge Building Centers
According to David Warlick, “The best thing we can be teaching our children today is how to teach themselves” (Retrieved from Loertscher, Koechlin, & Zwaan, p.31, 2008).  With the learning commons this can be accomplished through group work, and experimenting with various tools and technologies on the vlc.  Students will gain critical thinking skills as they play around with different technology and learn how to use it. 
By showcasing students work, others can harvest ideas in order to grow and learn.  Students will also gain a sense of pride by having their work put up for others to see.
The virtual book club will allow students to interact and talk about books via the web.  This type of interaction is easier and more comfortable for some students.  This type of club will make the website much more interactive.

16. Knowledge Building Center
Knowledge Building Centers are where collaborative multi-level lesson plans are made that fully engage the students.  These lessons are usually developed through collaborative planning between teachers, technology specialists, and the teacher-librarian.  Utilizing multiple resources allows for greater learning to be done by the students.  These KBC's can be place on the VLC so that other teachers can see examples of how lessons are different topics can be done. 

17. The Look of a Learning Commons
This is an example of a VLC. They have a wireless network, rooms available to study and collaborate, e-reader program, labs, and links for books articles and journals.  For the school library we would have more places for interaction on the site, with updates on extra curricular activities such as theatre productions and sporting events, technology tools, and places to share student works.

18. The Learning Commons will greatly increase the sense of community within the school.  It will increase collaboration between teachers and make students more excited about reading and school.  The Learning Commons will become the place that students want to spend their free time.  Both the physical and virtual space will be a collaborative community where individuals can share, communicate, and learn.

19. References
American Library Association. (2007) AASL Standards for the Twenty-first Century Learner. Retrived from
American Library Association (2011). Improving Literacy through School Libraries. Retrieved from
Davis, D. M (2009). The Condition of U.S. Libraries: School Library Trends, Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
Koechlin, C., Rosenfeld, E., & Loertscher, D, V. (2010). Building the Learning Commons: A Guide for School Administrators and Learning Leadership Teams. Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research & Publishing.
Loertscher, D. V., Koechlin, C., & Zwaan, S. (2008). The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win!. Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research & Publishing.
Valoe, E (2011). The Evolving Library: Supporting New Teaching, Learning Styles. Retrieved from
Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study. Colorado State Library and Colorado Department of Education, April ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/ b/80/16/84/2f.pdf