Library as a Physical Space
Buffy Hamilton's tour of her learning commons proved to me that my library is not the only one in the world that is running over with students; and I am glad. It seems that on some days I could use twice the space I have and watching her video makes me want more space even more. I know that is not going to happen in my school but I can still wish. Her kids were busy in every square inch of her library. I loved the computer lab being closed off from the noise of the remaining areas and the reading area was so nice. Her students were able to use their own ipads and equipment without restrictions, and the teacher was not having to stroll around at all times to make sure everyone was on task. It was good to see her spaces.
Our libraries as a physical space should be like hers. We need a place for everything and everything in its place; to have organization. The Forest Hills School of Michael Whelton's seemed to me to be a large place but I wonder how many helpers he has. He has an upstairs section that production will be going on in and for me that was an area that I could not physically have. I am alone in my library and I would worry about those students up there staying on task and using the equipment correctly. I know that we have to trust them to do what they are assigned, but , I just can't help but wonder. He seemed excited to have the renovations going on and I could tell from the article that he had it together. It was interesting to read about Follett e-shelf web-based literacy product and how it worked. His students could read at what ever level they were comfortable with and other students or adults would not see the outside of the book to judge. I know how important it is for students to be able to read certain books without others teasing them about the level. His article gave a time line of expectations for completion of the Learning Commons and how to develop one and he completed his article with a statement that I liked and want to share with you. "It is time to transform the school library space into a vibrant learning commons- the 21st Century vision of a dynamic environment for the purpose of information literacy and media." That is what our space should be.
I really hate to be mean but I was bored with Sherri Bryan's video. I kept thinking; did she actually take that long to present her plan to her school board? I was taught that power points were to subsidize your speech and should not be read from. I found myself reading her slides and not listening and had to listen to her presentation several times. She was thorough with her research and information she gave and her steps of transitioning with the use of new technology and showing desired outcomes and how they aligned with her school goals was perfect. She explained the importance of flexible spaces and scheduling in order for our students to succeed in learning. I learned that it is important for both individual and collaborative environments within the learning commons as well as efficient wireless access and ability to showcase production of students assignments whether it is a bulletin board or a stage for plays and skits. I learned that both physical and virtual spaces are a must. Sherri included a list of how we can implement a learning commons and gave the most important aspects in the list. We know there are many more but the fact remains that for a library to become a learning commons we need to transfer spaces from one use to a new use and to make sure everything you can gets put on wheels and to showcase work completed and insure technology is wired or wireless in your space and above all "create an environment of learning." She included a statement from her college professor into her presentation and I like it enough to include it in this blog. By Dr. David Loertscher." A place where the entire school is building knowledge, skills, and interests together."
Hansen displayed to us the differences in a library and a learning commons. By using the compare and contrast method of presentation. She started with the components of a 21st Century learner, teaching us her four types of learning. "Experiential, personalized, collaborative, creative" Hansen explained how these four types of learning are explored in the learning commons. She told us that with the different sections or areas of the learning commons each component would be utilized. Through social learning we would have collaborative learning. The learning commons would be the social hub of the school and formal and informal learning would be accomplished. She showed us how the old authority type environment would become a place that students would show a sense of ownership and pride in their work. That limits of walls and boundaries would no longer be a problem because everything would move to suit the learning that was going on at the time. She explained the knowledge building center and how students could use the wiki type space to contribute and personalize their learning. Comparing the old to the new gave us a new light on the learning commons and how much it is needed.
Tom Corbett said that "as the century unfolds, students will probably rely almost exclusively on electronic resources." My first thought (before I finished the article) was I hope not. As we read on he explains how not everyone understands that all information is not free on the web and that it is not going to be an easy thing to have the whole library to "fit into the palm of your hand" and that the transformation of the libraries is already going on. It is already going on in a lot of schools and we are having to adjust our space as best we can until funds are available for us to do a complete transformation from library to learning commons learning environment. He explains goals for Cushing Academy and hopefully us too. Corbett discusses with us the need for the physical space of the library to change to meet the requirements of new technology such as students ipads. He also says that the space will still need to have formal reading "quiet" space and "vibrant space for collaboration" Through is entire article he persists that physical changes will be needed but the digital space is where the serious research will be taking place and that change will have to be accommodated. This will require proper staffing of the learning commons. If everything that we have discussed and read so far are to come about it will require more than one staff member to fulfill the needs of our students. As the Library Media Specialist conducts more collaborative teaching we will need others to help students with the new technology uses. We will have to make sure our teachers are trained with the new technology as well. Making sure our staff members are able to work well together and with those teachers is a must. In our text; Empowering Learners; we are given some guidelines to help us with ensuring our staff and ourselves can meet the needs of our students and teachers. We will have to write job descriptions that give clear instructions of expectations, provide the training, as well as analyze our programs to make our library the learning commons. The learning space guidelines are also in this same text. The actions for the school librarian to accomplish will guide them towards the most useful library space. Things such as designing the learning spaces and providing that space as well as the technology needs are just a few of the several listed to accomplish. Woolls states that "the success of any media program depends on the staff and the collection. Yet, the ambiance of the facility sets the stage." While reading this chapter I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of the librarian through the different opportunities that were discussed. Designing a new library seems to be easier than remodeling or moving a library. With a new building you will decide before construction how you want it to look and the areas of learning to be placed and I know that budget is less restricted in a new construction making it less stressful. With the remodel, the budget will likely be the most stressful part of the work. Most of the time remodels are afterthoughts. The budget is much less and the existing space is limited by the ability to move walls and move out during construction. We want the space to accommodate all the learning styles of our future students yet be pleasant enough for quiet time. Woolls also explains the managing of personnel to us. How volunteers are nice but not reliable and require more training and correcting personnel takes a special personality of the librarian. Woolls explains responsibilities of the librarian and how motivating the staff can be beneficial to all. It takes a lot of work to make the library a smooth running learning environment and the librarian is the center of that work. Managing of the staff includes the administration as well as teachers and students. Planning is the key to being successful at managing them all well.
Through our articles this week and in previous assignments we conclude that transition of our existing space into a learning environment set to accommodate all the levels and styles and abilities is not easy task but one that I am sure everyone would be ready to take on.
1) Of the libraries discussed in Woolls, which one would you rather do? Build from scratch or remodel?
2) In Empowering Learners, we were given a list of guidelines to help with managing staff. Do you have other suggestions for managing staff than what was listed?
3) Presentations are everyone different. Do you think the compare and contrast form gives the best details of constructing a learning commons needs?
