The Evolution of a Traditional Library to a Learning Commons.

Mierop, Kerrie

CO

Ackroyd, J.L. (2014). The Evolution of a Traditional Library to a Learning Commons. Teacher Librarian, 42(2), 25-28. Retrieved from http://discover.sjlibrary.org:50080/ebsco-wa/ehost/detail/detail?sid=a8ff28ce-c86e-4848-bb4c-
11cf5949f5e2%40sessionmgr4002&vid=0&hid=4212&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=100092126&db=a9h 

Summary: This article discusses the personal journey of a library media specialist at Monticello High School in Charlottesville, Virginia. Ackroyd discusses her first year as the school librarian and how she opened the library for students and staff to come in and enjoy the library anytime during the day. Ackroyd expresses how the library’s slow development into a learning commons created a few growing pains. At the end of the first year, the staff felt that the librarians did not have control over the library as students were encouraged to talk and the library itself was no longer a quiet place to study. The article discusses how over the summer the bookcases were moved to the back of the library, a large whiteboard was put up, and created a space where school classes could come in and study and other groups of students can meet and socialize. Over the next couple of school years, the library patronage increased and Ackroyd is now looking at creating a virtual learning commons too.

Review: It was a great personal narrative article that explored the growing pains of turning a traditional library into a learning commons. Although the author had some difficult times, the process of turning the library into a learning environment that both students and staff want to visit has been a rewarding journey for this library media specialist. This article was a great read and gives ideas of how to change a school library into a learning commons where both students and staff want to spend time and creates a wonderful learning environment.