Learning Commons

Library Setting

The Learning Commons is housed in a large, open space that features numerous areas for collaboration, technology use, and study. The fiction section is divided by genre for browsing and has comfortable soft seating to encourage reading. The non-fiction is clearly labeled with easily visible numbers to denote the beginning of each section. Two collaborative spaces in the back of the library feature large, mounted TVs that can be used for presentations. A series of high top tables near the windows in the front offer cafe-style seating to allow for small-group collaboration. The desktop computers are surrounded by low bookshelves, providing teachers with an alternative classroom setting. Similarly, the center section has eight tables, seating a total of 36 students. The library offers laptops for checkout, making this another choice spot for co-teaching with the librarians. At the front of the Learning Commons are doors to the makerspace, a recording studio, and the Room of Requirement, which is a conference room that can be used for quiet study, collaboration, or whatever else might be needed.

Library Patrons and Personnel

The Learning Commons at Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design serves approximately 1,700 students and over 100 staff members. The students at KHSCD identify as Black (45.7%), Hispanic (29.4%), White (17.0%), two or more races (4.7%), Asian (2.7%) American Indian (0.3%), or Pacific Islander (0.2%). Over half of students (52.6%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 9.2% are identified as having limited English proficiency. Additionally, 7.7% are identified as academically or intellectually gifted, and 15.3% are served by the exceptional child program.

While these numbers reflect some aspects of the students at KHSCD, they do not tell the whole story. The student body is a vibrant community filled with artists, musicians, actors, scientists, writers, coders, athletes, and everything in between. A large number of students participate in extracurricular activities including clubs, sports, theater, band, chorus, and dance, and many work and volunteer in the community.

The library staff consists of me and my partner librarian Kristel Behrend. Each period, we have a class of 4-6 Library Media Studies students who help run the library while conducting research and completing projects centered around technology and library services.