In last spring’s YULibrary News we reported on some of the early steps taken toward developing a Learning Commons in the Scott Library. Now, we have 6 months of the pilot phase under our belts and lots of momentum to build on. 

What is the Learning Commons and what will it look like at York? 

Learning Commons spaces are increasingly being incorporated into academic libraries across North America and beyond. The idea of a Learning Commons is to bring together services that support students in their learning, writing, research, technological and other academic needs. This model recognizes the organic nature of study and assignment-based work, and how the learning process draws on many different academic skills.  In order to better support students, the Learning Commons draws together in one place academic services that would otherwise be scattered across campus.

What are the benefits to having all these services in the Library?

This model makes a great deal of sense, partly because the Libraries are extremely popular places with students. Some days the Scott Library reaches upwards of 16,000 patrons. Consequently, use of some of the services located in the Learning Commons have already increased. The model also helps students access help at the point of need. For instance, students can get assistance with thesis formation at the writing desk, go away and organize their thoughts, then return later to the research desk when they are ready to learn how to do a literature search on that topic.

A Learning Commons also provides innovative spaces such as group study rooms, bookable presentation rooms, lounge seating, brainstorming whiteboard panels, and multimedia workstations that facilitate different kinds of learning activity.

Where will the Learning Commons be located?

Although the second floor of the Scott Library is yet to be fully redesigned, we have already begun phasing in aspects of the Learning Commons model. Writing and learning skills services were introduced into the Scott Library in May of 2008 and continue this fall. 

So far there are two kinds of writing and learning skills services being offered: drop-in one-on-one consultations in the alcoves off the 2nd floor atrium of Scott; and sign-up workshops.  These services are being offered by our Learning Commons partners: the Centre for Academic Writing, the Atkinson Writing Program, the Counselling and Development Centre and Atkinson Counselling & Supervision Centre.  In addition we continue to offer research assistance at the Research Questions Desk and ongoing drop-in workshops on research strategies and other special topics. Planning for a fully realized renovated home for the Learning Commons on the second floor of the Scott Library has already begun.  The Learning Commons will, however, be phased in over time. The timing will largely depend on funding as it becomes available.

In the meantime, progress has been made on a virtual Learning Commons called YULearn. YULearn is an online gateway to York University's extensive resources to support your students’ research, writing and critical skills development.  YULearn collects in one place online tutorials and guides on various aspects of the academic experience.  It serves as a virtual parallel to the physical Learning Commons in the Scott Library.

For more information on workshops and consultations offered through the Learning Commons, visit http://www.library.yorku.ca/ccm/Home/learning-commons.en