What makes an innovative school library learning space?
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The document discusses insights from teacher-librarians on creating innovative school library learning spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and flexibility. It emphasizes the importance of designing these spaces with input from educators and underscores the shift in library dynamics to encourage a variety of learning styles and activities. Recommendations for future library design include enhancing collaboration, creativity, and consultation to better meet the needs of contemporary education.
![There is a vision. We all
understand that vision and that
we are all a team progressing
towards achieving that vision …
[We were] interested in allowing
children to be creative and to be
collaborative and to be able to
communicate. .. They needed a
space that was flexible enough to
allow for different groupings and
to allow for children to be
collaborative. They needed a
space that was open enough to
allow for groups coming and going
and flexible arrangements of
teaching and learning.
Teacher librarian, School 7
Imagining …](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/aslaxxiiihilaryhughes1oct2013compatibilitymode-131006003938-phpapp01/85/What-makes-an-innovative-school-library-learning-space-9-320.jpg)
![[I feel like] Alice in Wonderland TL School 1
We came to a better place … It’s welcoming. It's like a real sunshine sort of thing TL School 2
To come to a place where … we are sharing the same mentality and outlook and vision is
extremely satisfying to me. I am quite an enthusiastic, energetic, passionate educator I
suppose and also quite progressive and to be able to walk into a place that suits my way of
teaching and to be working with people who have the same outlook as me, is extremely
satisfying … I know I am very lucky. TL School 7
More reimagining …](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/aslaxxiiihilaryhughes1oct2013compatibilitymode-131006003938-phpapp01/85/What-makes-an-innovative-school-library-learning-space-17-320.jpg)
What makes an innovative school library learning space?
- 1. ASLA Conference 2013 What makes an innovative school library learning space? Teacher-librarian perspectives Hilary Hughes Derek Bland, Jill Willis Children and Youth Research Centre, QUT
- 2. Your thoughts … What makes an innovative school library learning space?
- 3. TLs interactions ideas creativity learning collaboration cooperation problem solving decision making consensus flair attention to detail imagining reimagining learners teachers school community designers expectations knowledge aspirations time admin support MoneyMoney values professional expertise trade skills artistry materials colours fittings pedagogy inclusivity curriculum designing planning This makes an innovative school library learning space … safety company privacy identity designing resources techno logy sharing
- 5. Researchers: Derek Bland, Hilary Hughes, Jill Willis Research Assistants: Raylee Elliott Burns, Andrew Gibson, Kylee Andrews, Fiona MacArthur
- 6. 7 schools ~ multiple perspectives …
- 7. Imagine your ideal school library …
- 8. Imagining: initial thinking and conversations ~ designing Transitioning: preparing and moving ~ physical and emotional dimensions Experiencing: using the new learning space ~ learning and teaching, social interaction Reimagining: evaluating, ongoing renewal of the learning space Creating a new library … Creating a new school library …
- 9. There is a vision. We all understand that vision and that we are all a team progressing towards achieving that vision … [We were] interested in allowing children to be creative and to be collaborative and to be able to communicate. .. They needed a space that was flexible enough to allow for different groupings and to allow for children to be collaborative. They needed a space that was open enough to allow for groups coming and going and flexible arrangements of teaching and learning. Teacher librarian, School 7 Imagining …
- 10. The big picture of libraries and what could happen in design … we were taking note of what was happening and where libraries were going and pedagogy and information technology Teacher librarian, School 3 The principal understood the TL’s professionalism, her understanding of a library. So he said to her, it’s your project ... He had to sign off but he trusted her implicitly Acting TL, School 4 There’s no point complaining that space doesn’t work if you didn’t have an input into the way space works … get in there before they start planning your workflow Teacher librarian, School 1 It’s not enough to have a pretty building or space, it has to work as well … a happy compromise Teacher librarian, School 2 More imagining …
- 11. Anything that hasn’t seen daylight for seven years can go, and anything that looks grotty goes. Teacher Librarian, School 2 A number of teachers gave their time to set up the library during the first and last weeks the school holiday Teacher Librarian, School 4 Transitioning …
- 12. There was a lot of ‘wow’, checking out all the environments, asking what they were for … there was the novelty to start with; everyone was here; but that hasn’t really worn off. It’s become a new place to come to Teacher librarian, School 4 They'll read in the pit. We get a lot of kids reading. …. The girls like to come and sit along the window because especially in the winter, you get a bit of the sun, so it's nice and warm. Teacher librarian, School 2 The new library has made a huge difference, not only in a physical sense but also in how the library is perceived … Previously the library mostly attracted the very bookish characters. Now, the library’s more relaxed atmosphere with computer games and other activities is opening up to more than one personality type. Teacher-Librarian, School 6 Instead of a hushed environment, the library has become a quite noisy place: If the noise is productive and they're talking about what they're creating or reading – that's okay with me. Teacher-Librarian, School 6 Experiencing …
- 13. Something that's different from the classroom, the furniture, provides more flexibility, there's more space … there are the little pockets, little areas where … they can feel as though they have their own space Teacher librarian, School 5 Because we have wireless connectivity throughout the college … the information you're gathering electronically – so if you're not needing the books from the shelves you probably don't have to be here. Perhaps you're here because it's a great space where you can comfortably work … you can work quietly somewhere; you and your group can work together; and you know that you've got assistance. Teacher librarian, School 5 Their physical setting and position is quite symbolic of how they feel about the library and the school …. and they felt that … their place was in the library at the centre of the school. Teacher librarian, School 6 More experiencing …More experiencing …
- 14. Create Challenge CollaborateConnect Mem Fox Brain Gym Café Connect PORTAL Respite centre for teachers Central engine Learning hub First port of call Gary Crew Refuge Experiencing names…
- 15. To me, the space is about learning. It's about maximising, it's a real motivator TL School 6 Pedagogy of IT TL School 6 Wall of awesomenes School 5 Trucks and shoe racks School 4 Admin at the hub of learning School 7 Recommendations … Recommendations … Experiencing pedagogy … Experiencing pedagogy …
- 16. the BER was a wonderful opportunity for libraries generally in schools TL School 2 If we had to do it again I would have liked to have been able to have more input when it comes to actually configuring that internal of the library. That would then have given me an opportunity to tell them that you still need storage for this, this, this … TL School 2 I think my addition to the team has helped them realise their vision … As a team I think that we are focused on the end result and we are focused on what we want and we are always making steps towards it. TL School 7 Reimagining …
- 17. [I feel like] Alice in Wonderland TL School 1 We came to a better place … It’s welcoming. It's like a real sunshine sort of thing TL School 2 To come to a place where … we are sharing the same mentality and outlook and vision is extremely satisfying to me. I am quite an enthusiastic, energetic, passionate educator I suppose and also quite progressive and to be able to walk into a place that suits my way of teaching and to be working with people who have the same outlook as me, is extremely satisfying … I know I am very lucky. TL School 7 More reimagining …
- 19. 17 recommendations for future action: o creating and designing o transitioning and reimagining pedagogy o leadership o policy Overall, best results occurred where there was: o consultation o collaboration o room for creativity Recommendations …
- 20. What do TLs bring to designing new library learning spaces? expert knowledge and experience to … o ensure space meets potential to support contemporary learning and teaching o identify literacy and equity priorities o foster collaborative, creative approaches to learning space design o imagine, transition, use and reimagine … innovative, agile learning spaces