By Carol Koechlin and Anita Brooks Kirkland
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.
Leading Learning
This year we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the publication of Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for Library Learning Commons in Canada. This work represents big picture ideas to transform school libraries to dynamic centers for learning today and into the future backed by growth indicators and live exemplars.We are pleased to dedicate this fall issue of CSL Journal to furthering big picture ideas in advancing Library Learning Commons.
Big Picture Ideas – Growth with Leading Learning
Keeping the Promise: Leading Learning’s 5th Anniversary, by Carol Koechlin and Judith Sykes
Over the past five years Leading Learning has grown as a live document representing current practice in school library learning commons right across Canada. Count the ways !
La bibliothèque scolaire de l’avenir: collaborer pour mettre en œuvre des carrefours d’apprentissage intégrant un laboratoire créatif: Un exemple à la Commission scolaire de Montréal, par Viviane Morin et Audrey Raynault (Editors’ Note: The English version of this article will be published in this edition by the middle of November 2019)Lacking a provincial standards document, librarians in the CSDM (Montreal Catholic School Commission) formulated their own vision for new spaces, working within a Community of Practice (CoP) and eventually with architects. Design always based on learning needs and vision supported by Together for Learning and Leading Learning.
Big Picture Ideas – Leadership for Learning
Strong Leadership Builds Libraries: The Vital Role of Administrators in the School Library Learning Commons, by David Mark and Darcy McNee
“Administrators play a vital role in creating the conditions for a successful school library learning commons. Through vision, trust, and flexibility administrators lay the foundation.”
State of the Art: Project-Based Learning in the Library with ELL Students and A First Nations Artist, by Karen Weber and Bryn Dewar
Making learning connections for ELL students and First Nations knowledge that impacts inclusivity in the LLC and whole school culture
Creating Knowledge Building Skills: Designing and Implementing a Knowledge Week, by Jennifer Cain
How one teacher librarian expands on the idea of a celebrating national children’s book week to celebrating creative knowledge building in her school led by work in the library learning commons.
Big Picture Ideas – Research and Professional Learning
TMC6 Research Symposium & Think Tank
Need to know information on how you can participate in TMC6.
Research In Action: An Interview with Judith Sykes
Why is action research particularly important for school libraries in Canada? Learn the how, what, when, where and why of teacher research in the LLC with our own Judith Sykes.
Professional Resources: Problem / Project-Based Learning, by Judy Chyung and Susan Ewing
Another great annotated list of resources to support professional learning in your school, this issue on the topic of Problem/Project-Based Learning.
Big Picture Ideas – On the International Scene
International Corner / Le Quartier international, by Joanne Plante
Promoting international vision based on IFLA school library guidelines and global vision in School Library Manifesto.
La Jornada de Bibliotecas Escolares – The Day of School Libraries, by Alanna King
Talk about big picture! Alanna shares her leadership journey at a library conference in Buenos Aires addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the digital divide.
Building a Community of School Library Leaders, by Dr. Susan La Marca
Discover how school library associations work together on professional learning and school library advocacy in Victoria, Australia.
REVIEW: Synergy Highlights: The First Fifteen Years, by Dianne Oberg
Don’t miss this review of an important new resource for school library professionals making shifts to learning for the future.
Big Picture Ideas – Working Together to Engage Readers
I Read Canadian Day: On February 19, We Stand on Guard To Read, by Paul Coccia
A shared vision between writers, publishers, book sellers, library associations, libraries of all sectors to promote Canadian (children’s) books, working together with common purpose.
Resource Links Highlights: Recent Canadian Titles Too Good to Miss, by Victoria Pennell
The title says it all. So many great Canadian books. This list is a great entry point into the richness of recent Canadian books for kids.
Canadian School Libraries likes to look at the big picture. We hope that this edition introduces you to the big ideas that drive innovation in school library practice.