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Barbara Tierney
Presentation
The Learning Commons service model in North America [Invited Speaker]
University of Kobe (Kobe, Japan) Feb. 2 (2016)
  • Barbara Tierney, University of Central Florida
Abstract
Presentation synopsis: 

Part one:  What is the LC model in NA (North America)? 

·         New emphasis placed on the expanded role of the library in supporting student learning

·         One-stop shopping that offers students a wide variety of digital resources, services, staff, and collaborative learning spaces as well as academic support services (such as Writing, Tutoring, Academic Advising, Career Counseling, etc.)

·         Information Literacy is the curriculum that librarians teach within the LC

 
Part two: Why is the LC at the forefront of 21st Century Library construction and renovation in NA?

 ·           In   order for academic libraries to survive in the 21st Century they must reshape   their spaces, services and resources in support of technology

·         Traditional libraries have collections at the core of their existence and are used for knowledge seeking by individual researchers

·         The Learning Commons has student services at the core of its existence and is used for knowledge creation by students collaborating with each other

Part three:  What does a LC look and feel like? 

·         Spacious, open, warm, inviting, comfortable…. in a high speed wireless environment

·         Physical collections have been reduced and the reclaimed space is used for collaborative environments

·         Pods of computer workstations supporting multimedia projects; clusters of high-backed chairs surrounding work tables; flat screen monitors; semi-private and private collaborative work spaces; food, beverages, and talking permitted

·         Physical components include: integrated or adjacent services desks offering librarians and IT staff; computer workstations arranged in clusters or pods; collaborative learning space; digital studio; presentation practice room; electronic classrooms; visualization lab; faming lab; academic support units; café and lounge areas; spaces for meetings and cultural events.
 
Part four:  How does a library plan spaces that are student-centric (student-focused)?

·         Rochester (New York) University:  Foster’s & Gibbon’s (2007) “Studying students:  The Undergraduate research project at the Univ. of Rochester

·         Univ. of North Carolina, Charlotte:  Hiring an anthropologist to study how students use the library; establishing a “Personal Librarian” program; merging service desks

·         Univ. of Central Florida:  Establishing a Subject Librarian program; using  “Framework for the Engaged Librarian” model; Mobile Librarian program

Part five:  Historical Context of the LC in NA (North America)

·         The “Commons service model” has been driven by several forces including:  changes in user needs/expectations; changes in teaching theory and instructional design; changes in technology; changes in society.

 


 


Keywords
  • Learning Commons
Disciplines
Publication Date
February 2, 2016
Citation Information
Barbara Tierney. "The Learning Commons service model in North America [Invited Speaker]" University of Kobe (Kobe, Japan) Feb. 2 (2016)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/barbara-tierney/13/