As we plan our transformation from library to learning commons, I am trying to be mindful of the why and not just the how. This has meant lots of reading, conversations and reflection. As I was working on the floor plan for the new design, and was almost ready to share with our staff and in this blog, I realized that I really needed to take a step back and remind myself of the why.

What is a Learning Commons?
A Learning Commons is a flexible and responsive approach to helping schools
focus on learning collaboratively. It expands the learning experience, taking
students and educators into virtual spaces beyond the walls of a school.
A Learning Commons is a vibrant, whole-school approach, presenting
exciting opportunities for collaboration among teachers, teacher-librarians
and students. Within a Learning Commons, new relationships are formed
between learners, new technologies are realized and utilized, and both
students and educators prepare for the future as they learn new ways to learn.
And best of all, as a space traditionally and naturally designed to facilitate
people working together, a school’s library provides the natural dynamics for
developing a Learning Commons. Together for Learning

The passage above is one of the very first paragraphs from Together for Learning, a document I referenced in my first post. There are some key words and phrases that hit me this morning as I read through it for perhaps the 20th or even 30th time. Here’s what hit me:

“focus on learning collaboratively” – So often, I still see students working with tunnel vision. Quiet, focused, hopefully engaged. There may be little conversation and often no collaboration at all. It is my hope that a physical transformation will also lend itself to a shift in how students work. Plans for computer stations with one machine and 4 chairs (SOLE model), more open space for group work, multiple technologies available in one space – these could all support a collaborative learning environment.

“vibrant, whole-school approach” – this is perhaps what struck me the most this morning. Although I spend most of my day working with staff and students, much of my planning and dreaming is done in solitary. For our new learning commons approach to work at it’s best, I need to start sharing the vision now, prior to making any major changes. This involves not only staff, but students and parents as well. It will be important for me to have them excited about the possibilities and also help them to realize that this “new” plan, fits in with current best-practice.

What is a Library Learning Commons?
A learning commons is a whole school approach
to building a participatory learning community.
The library learning commons is the physical and
virtual collaborative learning hub of the school. It
is designed to engineer and drive future-oriented
learning and teaching throughout the entire school.
Inquiry, project/problem-based learning experiences
are designed as catalysts for intellectual engagement
with information, ideas, thinking, and dialogue.
Reading thrives, learning literacies and technology
competencies evolve, and critical thinking, creativity,
innovation and playing to learn are nourished.
Everyone is a learner; everyone is a teacher working
collaboratively toward excellence.
Some metaphors for the school library learning
commons might be: learning laboratory, idea
factory, studio or even “great room” in the school
and community. Canadian Library Association, Leading Learning

Again, this second document used the term “whole-school” approach. I’m also struck by the reference to it being the “hub of the school”. There is nothing I love more than multiple groups/classes using our current library at the same time. The buzz of many students, working on multiple tasks, gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. A relative once told me that they were sure their child’s school library had tumbleweeds blowing through. Whenever they were in that school, the doors to the library were closed, the lights were off and no one was using the space. This is something I have worked very hard to avoid. No tumbleweeds here.

“Great room” – what a wonderful idea. The learning commons as the heart of the school. The gathering place where all are welcome. A space that is comfortable, open and thriving.

Change can be scary. From my past experience, it is also often messy. In the coming months, I have plans to connect with several schools who have undergone this transformation, or are in the midst, and am looking forward to their insight.

If there are any readers who have passed where we are headed, I am curious to know your thoughts. How do I ensure that the changes we make best fit our school? How do I ensure that this becomes a whole-school approach and not just a change in the library?