Purpose:
The purpose of this website includes the foundational elements, as the traditional school library uses metamorphosis to transform into a learning commons, and then into an innovation laboratory and learning commons.
format example for this website: https://tsl.mit.edu/ai-guidebook/
Introduction to the Innovation Lab and Library Learning Commons
Years ago, at a Treasure Mountain research retreat, Dr. Joyce Valenza made the final challenge to the audience. She said if this profession is going to survive, libraries and librarians need to be visible and indispensable. She also often spoke of the library as a kitchen where all kinds of delicious recipes were being tested, rather than just serving the same old order of pizza. At this Leap Into the Future of School Libraries Conference, we will investigate the Leap Challenge, examining the transformation of the traditional school library into a vibrant innovation hub, as well as exploring library and learning perspectives. The paragraphs below expand the idea. Please be sure to watch the two videos at the end of the introduction. Hopefully, that will uncover an important transformational concept.
The modern "lab-library" is a dynamic hybrid space that combines a traditional library with an innovation lab that fosters experimentation and creativity, and reimagines learning through physical and digital environments. With the rapid rise of AI in K–12 education, this space becomes essential for testing new teaching strategies, exploring AI-driven projects, and piloting innovations before school-wide implementation. It functions as a maker-space on steroids, integrating books, media, and cutting-edge technology to inspire deeper learning across subjects like math, science, and literature.
The lab-library serves multiple roles: a hub for experimentation and community engagement, a professional development center, a showcase for student and teacher projects, and a center for internships and technology testing. Governed by a website that provides real-time updates, project data visualizations, and event information, it anchors school tours and parent nights. In essence, it transforms the entire school into a living laboratory of learning driven by curiosity, innovation, and the transformative potential of AI.
This concept rises upon the shoulders of major educational scholars dating back many years. Check out the major scholars page on this website to realize how much support there is for true experimentation with students and teachers. Also check out the current scholars page for major sources and research that may not mention the library but support the whole idea of innovation across the school.
We have also created an examples page with many ideas and practices that will help get such an innovation lab up and running. And if you are curious to go on a virtual visit to an actual learning hub or what we would call a close example to an innovative laboratory, watch superintendent Buddy Barry in Eminence, Kentucky describe their learning hub. Finally, to check out the required leadership of such an innovation lab check out this short video that describes the change from a librarian that is a comfy and helpful cat that changes to a dog.
Table of Contents
The Major Scholars page traces the origin of educational reform back to John Dewey and Maria Montessori in the early twentieth century, down to some recent voices.
The Current Ideas page explores some major recent authors of educational reform that justify the creation of experimentation in innovation laboratory proposals.
The Examples page provides many research and feature articles in the current literature where the concept of the learning commons is explored. Many of these areas are adaptable to the addition of the innovation lab strategy to place the entire library/learning commons/ innovation laboratory at the center of teaching and learning improvement in elementary through secondary education.
Finally, the Leaper page provides specific strategies for the innovation experiment, including major calendars, data visualization of impact, unlimited access to reading resources, and other measurable ideas to track and document trials, failures, successes, and progress over time.