21st C Libraries:

Three Examples

Liz Gray

October 2014

21st Century

Educational Architecture

20th C 21st C

School/habitat fixed place global place

Teacher one expert Expert teacher + coaches, mentors, peers, self

Knowledge finite unlimited

Curriculum limited by cost, textbook-driven

open platforms,research-driven

Literacies reading, writing & math + info, media, visual, digital, global, emotional, physical

Technology print is dominant; interactive/static

multiple media; adaptive, dynamic

Building Blocks Ample electrical outlets & a robust network

Varied, high-quality, controllable lighting

Attention to acoustics

Furniture that supports collaboration

Technology that allows the library’s reach to be extended beyond its four walls

A collection that is easy to navigate

Extensive collaboration with faculty

Staffing that supports multiple functions

Examples

Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA

Salem State University, Salem, MA

Good Shepherd Episcopal, Dallas, TX

Dana Hall’s

Periodical Area 1997-2012

Dana Hall’s

Periodical Area 2013

2013

2014

Dana’s Hall’s

Library Classroom 1998-2014

Dana Hall’s Library Classroom

Fall 2014

CLOSED WALL

OPEN WALL

Open Wall

Learn 2

Chair

With Tablet

Arm

Library

Classroom

Fall 2014

Library Classroom in Use

Library Classroom

After Evening

Study HallNote less-than-orderly

arrangement of chairs: when

students are given choices,

theirs don’t always match the

ones of adults.

IdeaPaint

KI’s Trek Table

Middle School

Multipurpose Room

Refurbished Summer 2014 in conjunction

with Library Classroom

Features three walls of IdeaPaint

20 Strive Learn 2 chairs with tablet arms

28 Strive stacking chairs ($215 each)

14 Trek tables ($645 each)…and…

The Learning Wall

Custom Furniture,

Under Construction

Learning Wall,

short end

viewWe elected to make the

short ends tackable

surfaces, but they could

be covered with

alternate finishes.

DETAILS: locking casters, iPad

charging shelf

DETAILS: Epson stylus box, closed &

open, mounted on the screen (one on

each side of Learning Wall)

Strive Learn 2

Stacking Chair

The back has a little give, and

the upholstered seat snaps off

for cleaning or replacement.

A Day in the Life of a

21st C Classroom

Dana Hall MS Multipurpose Room

Friday, September 26, 2014

Salem State

UniversityOpened Fall 2013

A Variety of Seating Options

A Variety of Work Surfaces &

Study Spaces

Light

AtriumVisible on three of four levels

Light Management

What Makes it a Learning

Commons?

Possible Components of a

Learning Commons

Library & Media

Tutoring Services

Tech Support

Maker Space

Writing Center

Multiple activities: research, reading, collaborative group work, content creation, videoconferencing, adult support of students

Design Issues @ Salem State

Amount of glass (light, heat, energy)

Function & space sacrificed for aesthetics

Atrium

Staff workspace

Decisions made without consulting users

(Archives & electrical room example)

Learning Commons elements physically

separate from each other (unlike Pingree)

Good Shepherd Episcopal

School’s SPARQ (Dallas, TX)

Resources Dana Hall School’s 21st C Education LibGuide

Gray, Liz. Liz’s Library Space Shots.

Hull, Tracy. “The Path to the Information Commons.”AISL Conference Presentation. April 2014.

Pingree School’s Learning in Commons Conference Slide Show. February 2014.

Valenza, Joyce Kasman. “SLJ’s Top Ten Tech Trends for 2013.” Dec. 13, 2013.