(We found that many of the links were nonexistent, and/or linked back to Wikispaces.)
7 Tips for Building Collaborative Learning Spaces
Although written with colleges and universities in mind, these design considerations would be helpful for every library to keep in mind. (Nancy Alibrandi)
7 tips for Building Collaborative Learning Spaces from Campus Technology
Intrigued by the idea of a Learning Commons? Check out this YouTube video tour.
(Nancy Alibrandi)
From Library to Learning Commons Slideshare
Chelmsford H.S. Learning Commons: YouTube Video Tour
Close the Library? A guest post on Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog by Robin Cicchetti about their transition from a traditional school library to a learning commons.
Slideshare - MSLA Learning Commons Panel Discusion
Chapin Elementary Library Virtual Tour
This library has some nice dedicated spaces for various activities - (beginning about 1 minute into the video). (Nancy Alibrandi)
Chapin Elementary Library Virtual Tour on Vimeo
Prospect Sierra ES Library Tour
Nice bright open sun-lit space in this K-4 library. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Prospect Sierra ES Library Tour on YouTube
O.P. Earle Elementary School Library Media Center
Virtual Tour of the OP Earle Elementary School library media center in South Carolina (a short commercial appears first unless you log in as a member of Teacher Tube). Love the idea of a Reading Garden. (Nancy Alibrandi)
OPE Virtual Tour on TeacherTube
Queen's Learning Common
This 7.5 minute video is a great example of various departments partnering to form a learning commons. Are there departments you can partner with to benefit students? (Nancy Alibrandi)
Queen's Learning Commons Video Tour on YouTube
Library Redesign Prezi by Ray Palin
This Prezi was given at the New Hampshire School Library Media Association conference in May 2010 by Ray Palin. It's definitely worth looking at because he includes before and after pictures as well as how he developed and presented budget proposals to transform his high school library - his ideas can definitely be adapted to elementary situations. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Rethinking Learning Spaces
"Developing the habitats that will foster the desired habits starts with an honest view of your current learning spaces against your vision of learning. In other words, what does it mean to be well-educated and how do our spaces support this vision?" This article suggests going on a walk-about with 3 administrators, 3 teachers, and 3 students, and offers some helpful suggestions and steps towards rethinking learning spaces. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Habits and Habitats: Rethinking Learning Spaces for the 21st Century by Ryan Bretag
Information Commons
"What exactly is an information commons? Just a new name that institutions give to renovated library spaces? A library reference area that has been spruced up with new furniture and equipped with a large number of computer workstations? Or something more?...This chapter explores the concept of the information commons, describes some of its features, and focuses on the links between information commons and learning."
Learning Spaces - Chapter 7
Linking the Information Commons To Learning by Joan K. Lippincott
Apple Store
What can educators learn from the successful design principles of the Apple Store? This abridged article outlines the essential features of the Apple Store's learning culture that has ' created a new type of learning environment that allows individuals to learn anything, at any time, at any level, from experts, expert practitioners, and peers." Includes a link to the original 11 page article.
(Nancy Alibrandi)
At the Core of the Apple Store: Images of Next Generation Learning by Elliot Washor, Charles Mojkowski and Loran Newsom
Mt. Gilead, OH
Here are some pictures of a Library Makeover in Mt. Gilead, OH as featured in the School Library Monthly blog. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Library Makeover: Mt. Gilead, OH
Shoestring Makeovers
Looking to make some changes on a limited budget? Ian McLean blogs about making renovations to his Australian elementary library - check out the "Shoestring Makeover" tab. He includes lots of before and after pictures. In the Spring of 2010, his portable trailer library was taken away, and a new library is being built - "Check it Out!" (Nancy Alibrandi)
Middle School Library at MICDS
YouTube video of changes at the Messing Library. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Messing Library Trailer 2010-2011
Crisafulli Elementary School
The layout in this circular library was changed to create designated areas for different activities. The new layout is called the "Library Commons." (Nancy Alibrandi)
Toorak College
Mt. Eliza, Australia
This blog article by Jenny Luca outlines the process they used to design a more functional library space. The article includes a floor plan of their design using a free online tool called Floorplanner. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Reinventing Our Library Space - what did we do?
Creating a Library for the Future - Part Two!
SLJ - Looks Like Teen Spirit
School Library Journal article, "Libraries for Youth are Changing - thanks to teen input" by Kimberly Bolan offers tips for sprucing up teen spaces. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Libraries for Youth are Changing - thanks to teen input
DEMCO
DEMCO offers a .pdf brochure called Inspiring Spaces...Teen Places which may give you some visual inspiration and an idea of various furnishings that are available for updating your library space. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Inspiring Spaces...Teen Places
ALA | AASL L4L Building Level Toolkit
Physical Space
Includes powerpoint presentations and online resources to transform the physical space in your library to meet AASL's learning and program standards as outlined in Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs. Part of the Building Level L4L (Learning4Life) Toolkit.
(Nancy Alibrandi)
Transforming the Physical Space of the Library
The IDEA
Here's a video introducing the Innovation, Design, and Engagement Area (IDEA) at the Center for Teaching and Learning Design. Has much in common with the learning commons model for libraries. Click here for photos. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Habits and Habitats: Introducing the IDEA10 min. YouTube video highlighting some design considerations for learning spaces
School Libraries Project - Capitol Hill
This website shows the transformation of eight elementary and middle school libraries into vital learning spaces. (Nancy Alibrandi)
NCEF
Library and Media Center Facilities Design K-12 - lots of resources from the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (Nancy Alibrandi)
Designing Digital Libraries
Doug Johnson's blog post "Some Design Considerations" (when Building or Remodeling a Media Center) has a great list of questions for the planning committee and the architect. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Shelf Consumed Blog
North Texas Area Library Administrators group discussed "What would we SEE in a 21st century school library?" (Nancy Alibrandi)
What Does a 21st Century School Library Look Like?
Think iCentre
Slideshare by Lyn Hay:
Rethink-Rebuild-Rebrand Think iCentre
(Nancy Alibrandi)
Rethink-Rebuild-Rebrand Think iCentre
21+ Ideas for 21st Century Libraries
Ideas for updating your library from Kimberly Bolan Cullin and Rob Cullin present at the 2010 NYLA Conference
(Nancy Alibrandi)
21+ Ideas for 21st Century Libraries
Divine Design: How to create the 21st-century school library of your dreams.
School Library Journal article by Margaret Sullivan. No funding information though. (Keisa Williams)
Divine Design: How to create the 21st-century school library of your dreams.
The Library as a Digital Learning Space
One of a 3 part article in The Journal that looks at the changing role of the K-12 library. This one features a high school library in Simsbury, CT that has found a way to incorporate the best of traditional and modern features. (Nancy Alibrandi)
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2012/01/11/The-Library-as-a-Digital-Learning-Space.aspx?Page=1
School Library Design
A collection of articles about School Library Design curated by Leanne Windsor on Scoop.it (Nancy Alibrandi)
http://www.scoop.it/t/school-library-design
Learning Spaces
Great collection of library furniture, etc. - a Pinterest collection by Dianne McKenzie
(Nancy Alibrandi)
http://lspaces.tumblr.com/tagged/seating
Glen Allen High
Watch this video for some great kid friendly features such as cafe seating, microwave & coffee pots; exercise bikes; gaming space; and lazy boy recliner for reading. (Nancy Alibrandi)
Library for Success
The New Learning Commons Where Learners Win!
Second edition of book by David V. Loertscher, Carol Koechlin, Sandi Zwaan, and Esther Rosenfeld (2011).
Companion website to book:
https://sites.google.com/site/schoollearningcommons/home
Marsh Middle School
Inspirational YouTube video about students taking back their library- plus a great glimpse at their space! (Nancy Alibrandi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2IqOoZi5tA
Favorite Furniture for Teens
Need some furniture to "wow" your teens? See this article by Bette-Lee Fox in Library Journal: Librarians Pick Their Favorite Furniture for Teens (Nancy Alibrandi)
Librarians Pick Their Favorite Furniture for Teens
How to Design Library Space with Kids in Mind
How to Design Library Space with Kids in Mind
School Library Design Planning
Many articles about "designing a new library space" in this Scoop.it curated by Kim Marr. (Nancy Alibrandi)
http://www.scoop.it/t/school-library-design-planning
A Librarian's Guide to Makerspaces: 16 Resources by Ellyssa Kroski
"Makerspaces, sometimes also referred to as hackerspaces, hackspaces, and fablabs are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn." (Nancy Alibrandi)
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/a-librarians-guide-to-makerspaces/