The Learning Commons Concept
What are Learning Commons?
A Learning Commons is a dynamic, collaborative environment on campus, often physically in the library, that provides assistence to students with information and research needs. It combines individual and group study space, in-depth reference service, and instruction from a variety of sources, including librarians and information technology staff. Some of its key concerns are learning, writing, technology use, and research. Its main purpose is to make student learning easier and more successful.
Who are typical Learning Commons' partners?
Every Learning Commons has a different combination of partners. Typical partners are usually a University's library, Information Technology department, and campus Writing Centre. Other partners can include student associations, peer groups, disability services, ESL groups, and undergraduate advising services.
Who can use the Learning Commons?
Although Learning Commons are usually designed for use by undergraduate students, anyone can use one. Some Learning Commons offer space and workshops specifically for graduate students.
Why create a Learning Commons?
Learning Commons are increasingly popular because they integrate services traditionally found in many locations around campus. A Learning Commons works with its partners to create a single location, often one students go to anyway. They have proved popular at other universities because they offer "one-stop shopping" for students, which is the opportunity to improve their writing skills, research skills, general learning skills, and basic computing skills in one location. They are also popular because they facilitate a high level of collaboration among their partners, enabling them to reach more students, in a more effective manner.
How are Learning Commons different from Information Commons?
While the two terms have been used interchangeably, there is a growing trend to differentiate them. Learning Commons emphasize instruction and collaboration while Information Commons often emphasize technology and digital resources. Learning Commons is a more inclusive term that often includes the concepts emphasized by Information Commons.
A full-realized Learning Commons should -
1. Consider success in student learning as its main goal by providing a range of services in a convenient location where students gather to work.
2. Include a staff that facilitates debate, discussion, cooperation and collaboration between students, librarians, Learning Commons partners, faculty and staff.
3. Install sufficient information technology, including computers, printers, scanners, copiers, wireless, electrical outlets, databases, up to date software and other digital resources.
4. Offer students instruction and assistance in this technology, and raise awareness about the types of digital resources that exist in the Learning Commons.
5. Support the development of Information Literacy, in a physical and virtual manner, to reach more students.
6. Provide an accessible and aesthetically pleasing work space that includes group study rooms, social space, and quiet space.
7. Assess itself on a regular basis to make sure it is providing the best possible service to students.
8. Teach the responsible use of information, and foster the philosophy of the commons - open access, freedom of information and community.
An excellent example is the fully-realized Learning Commons at Dalhousie University.
How might we work towards a Learning Common at York?
While York does not have a Learning Commons yet, we have many of the elements Learning Commons often encompass, including a range of services that promote student success. If there is support for it, the following steps might be taken to create a Learning Commons at York.
Step 1. Become better acquainted with our potential campus partners; shadow and observe at their places of work, and begin referring more students to their services.
Step 2. Initiate some collaborative services, and perhaps some space. For example, have a librarian provide reference assistance at the campus Writing Centre or have a Writing Centre tutor help students in the library.
Step 3. The physical development of a Learning Commons, where campus partners share a physical space. The realization of the "one-stop shopping" model to facilitate the success of students' learning.
Questions or Comments? We'd love to hear from you!
Please contact Brent Roe, Associate University Librarian (Information Services) at broe@yorku.ca or 416-736-5601.
Canadian Learning Commons: A list of links to some of the best examples of Learning Commons in Canada. Many of these sites include details about their Commons such as floor plans, the hardware and software they offer, and information about the services they provide.
British Columbia Institute of Technology
University of British Columbia
American Learning Commons: A list of links to some of the best examples of Information Commons and Learning Commons in the United States. Many of these sites include information about the development of the Commons, as well as information about the hardware and software they offer and the services they provide.
Georgia Institute of Technology
To view the powerpoint presentation of the Georgia Insitute of Technology and Emory University visit last year, please click here
University of Southern California
del.icio.us: Contains links to articles, conference presentations, development paperwork, and a wide range of other sources of information about Learning Commons. The password is "password1": feel free to add links.
LearningCommons del.icio.us page
Photos: A variety of pictures of Learning Commons have been posted on Flickr under different names. The three links below contain a large number of images that are helpful for visualizing the concept.
Learningspaces pictures on Flickr
Infocommons pictures on Flickr
Listservs: Both listservs are archived and contain information about Learning Commons best practices and potential problems and solutions involved in creating and running a Commons.
INFOCommons-L List at SUNY Binghamton
CAN-LC Learning Commons List at University of Manitoba
Conference Presentations and Papers: Links to some of the many conference presentations and papers that have been given on the topics of Learning Commons, Information Commons and learning spaces in general.
Canadian Learning Commons Conference 2 - 2007
Australia Library and Information Association - Enabling the Information Commons by Fiona Bradley
American Library Association - 2006. The Commons - Libraries as Dynamic Learning Spaces
Canadian Learning Commons Conferences
Beatty, Susan. The Information Commons at the University of Calgary: Strategies for Integration. Powerpoint slides from a presentation at the 1st International Conference on IT and Information Literacy in Glasgow, March, 2002.Blogs: The first two blogs contain posts about a wide range of library, learning space and technology issues, while the latter two focus on news from specific Learning Commons.
D'Arcy Norman - University of Calgary
Georgia State University Library Learning Commons
University of Massachusetts, Amherst - Learning Commons
Podcasts: Contains information about Learning Spaces and the development of Learning Commons.
Joan Lippincott on Learning Spaces
University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Commons
Other Publications and Research: A collection of reports, a website with links to Learning Commons resources, and a webpage with detailed information and research about Information Commons practices and procedures.
Dartmouth/Coalition for Networked Information Collaborative Facilities Resources
Joanne Henning's Information Commons Study Leave Research
Learning Commons Planning Documents: A look at other universities planning documents. Every college and university plans for a Learning Commons in a different way, but there are some commons themes throughout these documents.
Queens University: Key Project Documents
Simon Fraser University: Learning Commons 3-Year Plan 2007-2010
Potential Partners at York: A list of some of the groups who may be able to partner with the library to promote greater success in student learning at York University.
Computing and Network Services
Information Technology Services
Student Community Leadership Development
Faculty of Arts Centre for Academic Writing
Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies Writing Program
Bethune College Writing Centre
Faculty of Environmental Studies Writing Program
Faculty of Glendon Writing Workshop
Centre for the Support of Teaching
Office for Persons with Disabilities
Office of the Vice President of Students
Counselling and Development Centre
Bibliography: A list of some of the many articles and books that have been written about Learning and Information Commons and the issues surrounding them.
Beagle, D. (2006). The information commons handbook. New York:
Beagle, D. (2004). From Information Commons to Learning Commons
Cowgill, A., Beam, J., & Wess, L. (2001). Implementing an Information Commons in a University Library. Journal of Academic Librarianship 27(6), 432-9.
Z 678 L45.
Tramdack, P. (1999). Reaction to Beagle. Journal of Academic Librarianship 25(2), 92-3.
