Design factors for the virtual space of the library learning commons:
The library website extends access to library resources 24/7, and should at the very least:
• Be prominently linked on the school website and in all online learning spaces;
• Provide easy access to the online catalogue, research databases, and eBook collections; • Be as barrier-free as possible;
• Be usable and accessible, with design considerations that make access simple and obvious, differentiated for the needs of all learners.
Virtual library learning commons
The concept of the virtual library learning commons (VLLC) extends the library’s online presence beyond access to resources to being an active learning space and school community hub. In addition to providing access to library collections, the VLLC:
• Includes resource curations created by the teacher-librarian on topics relevant to the needs of learners at the school; • Provides a platform to display and celebrate student work;
• Provides entry points to online exploration, inquiry, and creativity through structures such as choice boards; • Provides support for inquiry assignments, with custom curations for research;
• Includes access to process tools such as graphic organizers and citation generators as well as creative tools for things like photo and video editing and graphic design;
• Includes online collaborative workspaces to accommodate a range of learning activities;
• Functions as a knowledge-building centre that includes online collaborative spaces to scaffold inquiry assignments, with provocations, learning goals, access to relevant resources, fosters collaboration for learning, and provides learners with a platform for sharing their learning and creative work with the broader learning community;
• Embeds just-in-time learning objects such as short videos to help with common tasks, like how to search the catalogue / access databases / conduct effective searches / change your password;
• Hosts online activities such as book clubs and maker spaces.
Central library leaders
Central library leaders can ensure that all schools have access to virtual library learning commons by:
• Providing a central virtual library website that can be used by every school;
• Designing access to centrally-licensed resources that is user-friendly and differentiated to the needs of all learners;
• Providing website templates for individual libraries to use to customize access to the central site and/or create their own extended virtual library;
• Providing library staff with access to online tools for creating library guides or curations, and facilitating sharing of these curations across all schools;
• Ensuring that the central virtual library site is integrated into the district’s eLearning environment;
• Providing professional learning opportunities about creating effective virtual spaces.
The physical and virtual spaces of the library learning commons are closely connected. Users of the physical space should be able to see and easily use obvious connections to resources and learning supports in the virtual platform. Likewise, the virtual library learning commons should provide ubiquitous access to the physical collection, and support learners in the physical space.
For full text descriptions, please see CSL’s Foundations for School Library Learning Commons in Canada: A Framework for Success, appendix A.