A Student-Designed School Library

Chambers, Julia

Hohenadel, Kristin. (2014, Feb. 26). Eighth-graders design and build a school library for the 21st century. Slate [Weblog]. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/02/26/eighth_graders_at_realm_charter_school_in_berkeley_design_and_build_their.html

This is the first example I've seen of a school library that was entirely designed (and built!) by the eight-grade students who use it. Students were given a space for a "library" and they came up with a space that greatly resembles the Learning Commons models we've been studying. Students were given free-reign as to what might go in this space, and the students chose openness, comfort, and hang-out space over stacks of books. They designed bookshelves using a "X"-shaped module theme (X as a functional shape, but also as metaphor for the algebraic unknown.)  The Berkeley charter school has run out of funding, but has plans to fundraise to realize the vision. (Watch the Kickstarter video.)

Evaluation: I love the student-driven nature of this project and am intrigued by how closely the ideas resemble what we've been talking about as a Learning Commons space. What is absent in this picture is a librarian or information specialist. Imagine what this space could do with an innovative school librarian at the helm!

Breaking Out Of The Library Mold: Library Evolution

Jolene Kemos

Seelye, K. (2014, March 07). Breaking out of the library mold, in Boston and beyond. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/us/breaking-out-of-the-library-mold-in-boston-and-beyond.html?emc=eta1&_r=0

Descriptive Summary:

This article profiles the evolution and expansion of the Boston Public Library.  Emphasizing both architectural and service focused changes, the article not only discusses the happenings in Boston, but the evolution of library service globally.  Successful models for participatory service, evolved and unconventional library collections, virtual and physical space improvements, digital and physical collection considerations, and shifting philosophies are presented.  Modern libraries now emphasize not only finding information, but creating it, and emphasize community focus and collaboration instead of merely information managment. 

Evaluation:

This is an exciting and inspiring article.  While focused on The Boston Public Library, the evolutions discussed are relevant to libraries everywhere.  Of particular interest to me is outward facing architecture, including large amounts of glass, with the intent of infusing the library space with the energy of the community, and the emphasis on the evolution of the teen space of the library.  The BPL has created a new teen space that will be known as a “homago” space (“hang out, mess around and geek out.”)  They have focused this space with consideration to the things that teens really want to do including lounging, eating, gaming, and employing highly creative digital offerings to edit and record music and video, and to create comic books.  It is exciting to see an institution built in 1848 embrace “eco-urban chic” in the interest of providing relevant and desired resources and services to its patrons. 

Rethinking Innovation - An Infographic from Mia MacMeekin

Rene Hohls

From the blog  anethicalisland.wordpress.com

Mia is the master of the infographic - she can visually organize and illustrate a tremendous amount of information in some of the most well-crafted infographics available for use with teachers for PD or with students in the classroom. I love her creative and innovative focus - and she and I share a professional inspiration in Sir Ken Robinson who so succinctly puts our educational system into focus.

What do you think?

       

And for those of you who have not met

Sir Ken Robinson.....

here is a brief introduction to his brilliant mind and some of his controversial ideas about education reform: