3. Job Description Update
Think about our program differently
Be leaders
Library program
School
District
4. ● Transform school libraries
into Learning Centers (21st
Century Media Centers) in
all buildings.
● Expand extended
learning/tech center hours
to ensure equal technology
access for all students
beyond the school day.
GOAL # 1: Improve Student Achievement
Strategy B: Ensure all students and staff are proficient in information, technology, and
media literacy to be successful in the global community.
5. What exactly is a Learning Commons?
• …it’s a
collaborative
space created by
users that turns
the library into the
“center, the
network, of social,
cultural and
learning in the
school.”
Loertscher, David. The New Learning Commons Where
Learners Win: Reinventing School Libraries and
Computer Labs (Hi Willow, 2008)
Somers LibraryBose Library
Somers Library
7. What is a 21st Century Learner?
“Twenty-first century learners are always on,
always connected. They are comfortable
multitasking. They are multimedia
oriented. Their world is Web-based. They
want instant gratification. They are
impatient, creative, expressive and social.
They are risk-takers who thrive in less
structured environments.”
Partnership for 21St Century Learners
8. How does a 21st Century Learner use a
Learning Commons?
14. 21st Century Librarian
• Supports a
personalized learning
environment
• Integrates activities that
reinforces the total
school curriculum
• Embeds information
and technology literacy
within grade level
content Stocker Library
15. 21st Century Librarian
• Professional development
leadership
• Technology integration
leader and planner
• Collaborates with grade
level teams
• Supports
eLearning/eSchool/
Asynchronous Learning Prairie Lane Library
24. School Library with
Wireless Network
Reading Culture
•Digital Texts
•Magazines
•Print Media
•Book Talks
•Reading Clubs
Knowledge Building
(Instruction)
•Collaboration
•Space for teaching
•Multiple classes
served at once
•eSchool
Multiple
spaces
that should
be: flexible,
labeled,
and able to
be
scheduled
School Culture
•Library is place to
access
information
•Create projects
•Share information
•Collaboration
Technology
•Readily available
•Variety of formats
•Used to access
information and share
information
•Available for reading
and creating
Middle
School
Thank you for allowing me to talk with you about the work that we have have been doing to transform our school libraries
KUSD has about 23,000 students24 elementary schools6 middle schools4 high schoolsFew part time librariansFull time in secondary schoolsMy background…Worked for KUSD 18 yearsElementary and high school librariesHeld this position for a year and a half
What exactly is a Learning Commons? Utilizing this definition by David Loetscher, we are focusing on collaborative spaces and the library being the learning hub within the school community.
While watching this video introduction you will learn that the origins of the learning commons comes from universities and it applies itself to school library environments very well.
21st Century learners are mentioned several times in the video. As you can see from this definition, these learners require more than the traditional approach to learning in the library. They are comfortable with technology. They are creative, expressive and social.
A committee of librarian media teachers from elementary, middle and high levels decided that there are 5 core values should be present in our learning commons. These values encourage students to transform from passive learning into active personalized learning.(advance the slide)
With the help of several KUSD librarians, the following pictures illustrate these 5 core values:Here is Inquiry
Here is an example of research in small groups with iPads and a research guide. Many of our libraries already exhibit pieces of a learning commons, and we see these values happening at the same time in our libraries.
The third value is Collaboration, sharing their findings and ideas
Presentation with an iPad and Promethian board
And……. Reflection with active expressions
What is this NEW 21st Century Librarian?We deifine it as one who:Supports personalized learningintegrates learning activitiesAND… embeds information and technology literacy
21st Century Librarians also lead professional developmentmodel technology integrationcollaborate with teachersAnd support eLearning/eSchool and Asynchronous Learning
There are ways to transform our libraries into LearningCommons with little to no cost. A learning commons is really a shift (an update) in our philosophy that enhances our program and services.
At the middle school level, you will see multiple spaces that are: flexible, identified for its multiple purposes, and able to be scheduled by staff for classes, small groups, professional development and so on.
At the High school level, there should be maker spaces for computer work, and research.A classroom areaAnd a Reading and community area that includes College and career displays and materials
In our reading area, two of our high schools have organized their fiction, similar to a Barnes&Noble, into genres to encourage browsing and finding books to read by interest rather than the Dewey system. Genre shelving has been generating a lot of interest in our middle and elementary schools as well.
These resources and websites are regularly updated to meet the changing needs of students and staff.
What have we been studying?David Loertscher describes a learning commons as the laboratory where staff learn and develop their skills in embedding technology to boost learning and achievement.
