How to Design Learning Spaces in Libraries

Summary

In this episode of 'The Ten-Minute Teacher Podcast,' Vicki Davis interviews Carolyn Foote, a techno librarian and recipient of the 2019 ASL Library Collaboration Award. They discuss strategies for designing learning spaces in libraries, emphasizing the importance of starting with a clear mission and goals to enhance student learning. Foote suggests conducting surveys, creating vision boards, and involving students and faculty in the planning process. The conversation also touches on the evolving terminology for these spaces, with names like 'Learning Commons' and 'Research Center' being used. The podcast highlights the need for inclusive planning and the potential for rebranding to align with the new vision of the space.

Takeaways

• 📝 Start with a clear mission and goals for student learning when designing learning spaces.
• 🗣️ Conduct surveys to understand how students and faculty learn and their preferences for study spaces.
• 🤔 Encourage open-ended questions to help envision possibilities beyond traditional library setups.
• 📋 Use vision design boards to gather ideas and gauge student interest in various learning space elements.
• 🏫 Align the learning space design with the district's mission and goals to ensure it serves its intended purpose.
• 🕒 Allow ample time for the visioning process, ideally a few months, to curate ideas and gather input.
• 🤝 Involve stakeholders, including students, teachers, and administrators, to ensure a collaborative approach.
• 🏗️ Consider rebranding the space, which may involve changes to policies, programs, and how the library operates.
• 🏛️ Learning Commons is still a popular term, but many libraries are adopting unique names that reflect their specific vision.
• 📚 The ultimate goal is to create a space that facilitates research, learning, and creativity, not just change the name for appearance's sake.

Q & A

What is the first step in designing learning spaces according to Carolyn Foote?

The first step in designing learning spaces is to determine what you want to accomplish for students. This involves starting with your mission and goals and considering how the space impacts student learning.

Why is it important to survey students and faculty before designing learning spaces?

Surveying students and faculty is important to understand their learning preferences, interests, and needs. This inclusive approach ensures that the learning space meets the diverse requirements of its users.

What is the significance of open-ended questions in the survey process?

Open-ended questions allow for broader responses that aren't limited by preconceived notions of what a library should be. This encourages participants to think beyond traditional setups and consider innovative possibilities for the learning space.

How can vision design boards help in the learning space design process?

Vision design boards with photographs of various elements like robots, 3D printers, or different types of furniture can help visualize potential features of the space. Students can indicate their preferences, providing insights into what appeals to them for learning.

What is the role of dreaming and envisioning in the learning space design?

Dreaming and envisioning allow participants to think beyond current limitations and explore innovative ideas for the space. This can involve activities like designing a library of the future, which encourages creative thinking about potential features and functionalities.

How does aligning with district mission and goals influence learning space design?

Aligning with district mission and goals ensures that the learning space design supports the broader educational objectives. It helps in creating a space that facilitates connections among people, ideas, and resources effectively.

What is the recommended duration for the vision casting phase in learning space design?

The vision casting phase should ideally last a few months to allow ample time for information gathering, conversations, surveys, and research. This period is crucial for curating ideas and planning the space effectively.

Why is it beneficial to involve an advisory committee in the learning space design process?

Involving an advisory committee with stakeholders helps in getting diverse perspectives and ensures that the design process is inclusive. It also aids in aligning the project with the broader educational goals and policies of the district or school.

What is the significance of rebranding in the context of learning space design?

Rebranding can be part of the process when rethinking and redesigning a learning space. It involves changing the space's name, policies, programs, and how it operates to better align with the new vision and goals.

What are some terms used for progressive learning spaces as mentioned in the script?

Terms used for progressive learning spaces include Learning Commons, Research Center, Library Incubator, Library Technology Center, and various other creative names that reflect the space's unique features and functions.

How can student involvement in naming spaces enhance the learning environment?

Allowing students to vote on or suggest names for different areas of the library or learning spaces can increase their sense of ownership and engagement. It makes the learning environment more personalized and responsive to their preferences.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Designing Learning Spaces in Libraries

In this segment, Vicki Davis interviews Carolyn Foote, a techno librarian and recipient of the ASL library collaboration award in 2019. They discuss the process of designing learning spaces in libraries, emphasizing the importance of starting with a clear mission and goals that impact student learning. Carolyn suggests conducting surveys to understand how students and faculty prefer to learn and suggesting using vision design boards to explore possibilities beyond traditional furniture. The conversation touches on the need for inclusivity in space design and the potential for rebranding the library to better align with its evolving role in education.

05:01

🛠 Reimagining the Library Space

This paragraph continues the discussion on library space design, focusing on the importance of involving stakeholders, such as students, teachers, and administrators, in the planning process. The dialogue highlights the value of having an advisory committee and the need for ample time to curate ideas, gather input, and create a vision that aligns with the district's mission and goals. The conversation also addresses the potential for rebranding the library and the various names and concepts being used in contemporary library spaces, such as Learning Commons, Research Centers, and more creative, student-voted names.

10:04

🌟 Envisioning the Future of Learning Spaces

The final paragraph of the script delves into the future of learning spaces, emphasizing the need for libraries to evolve beyond traditional roles to become hubs for research, learning, and creation. The discussion suggests that renaming a space is not enough; it's crucial to change how the space is used to truly benefit students. The conversation encourages media specialists and librarians to think innovatively about their spaces, ensuring they are dynamic environments that foster learning and creativity.

Keywords

💡Learning Space Design

Learning Space Design refers to the thoughtful planning and arrangement of physical spaces within educational institutions to enhance the learning experience. In the video, it is central to the discussion as the interviewee, Carolyn Foote, shares insights on how to create spaces that align with educational goals and student needs. The conversation emphasizes starting with a clear mission and goals for student learning rather than just focusing on furniture or aesthetics.

💡Techno Librarian

A Techno Librarian is a professional who combines traditional library skills with a deep understanding of technology to support and enhance learning. Carolyn Foote, who is referred to as a Techno Librarian in the script, exemplifies this role by discussing the integration of technology and innovative learning spaces in libraries.

💡ASL Library Collaboration Award

The ASL Library Collaboration Award is a recognition given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional collaboration within the library community. Carolyn Foote received this award in 2019, highlighting her contributions to the field and her expertise in library and learning space design.

💡Student Surveys

Student Surveys are a method of gathering data directly from students about their preferences, needs, and experiences. In the context of the video, surveys are suggested as a tool to understand how students learn and what they are interested in, which can inform the design of learning spaces.

💡Inclusive Design

Inclusive Design is the practice of creating products and environments that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible. The video discusses the importance of including the needs of all users, such as students and faculty, in the design process of learning spaces to ensure that the spaces serve a diverse population effectively.

💡Vision Design Board

A Vision Design Board is a visual tool used to collect and display ideas, images, or concepts related to a project. In the script, it is mentioned as a method to engage students in the design process by allowing them to vote on elements that appeal to them, thus helping to shape the vision for the learning space.

💡Library of the Future

The concept of the 'Library of the Future' refers to the evolving role and design of libraries in the context of technological advancements and changing educational needs. The video encourages thinking beyond traditional library models by inviting students to imagine and design what libraries might look like in 20 years, incorporating innovative ideas and technologies.

💡Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee is a group of stakeholders who provide guidance and advice on a particular project or initiative. In the video, the formation of such a committee is suggested to involve various perspectives in the planning and decision-making process for redesigning learning spaces, ensuring a broad consensus and support.

💡Rebranding

Rebranding is the process of changing the existing brand identity of a product, organization, or service to align with new objectives or market positioning. The video discusses the possibility of rebranding library spaces, which could involve changing names, policies, and programs to reflect a new vision and better serve the learning community.

💡Learning Commons

Learning Commons is a term used to describe a collaborative and flexible learning environment that often serves as a hub within educational institutions. It is mentioned in the video as one of the progressive terms for library spaces, emphasizing a shift from traditional library models to more integrated, multifunctional learning centers.

💡Rethinking Space

Rethinking Space in the context of the video refers to the process of reevaluating and redesigning the physical layout and purpose of a space to better meet the needs of its users. This involves considering new technologies, pedagogical approaches, and user feedback to create a more effective learning environment.

Highlights

The importance of starting learning space design with a clear mission and goals that impact student learning.

Suggestion to conduct surveys to understand how students and faculty learn and their preferences for study spaces.

The idea that learning spaces should be inclusive of people's needs and not just focused on furniture.

Encouraging open-ended questions to help envision possibilities beyond traditional library settings.

Using vision design boards with images to gauge student interest in various learning space elements.

The concept of asking students to design the library of the future to foster creative thinking.

Aligning library design with the district's mission and goals, focusing on connections between people and ideas.

The recommendation to have a vision casting period of a few months for proper planning and idea gathering.

The value of creating an idea book or a Pinterest page to curate design ideas that meet the set goals.

Involving stakeholders through an advisory committee to ensure a collaborative and inclusive design process.

The significance of rebranding and involving curriculum people in the space redesign process.

The shift in terminology from 'media centers' to 'learning spaces' and the use of creative names for library spaces.

The idea of having students vote on the names of different spaces within the library.

Examples of unique space names like 'the bat cave' and 'the shrieking shack' chosen by students.

The necessity of changing how a space is used and not just its name for effective redesign.

The emphasis on making learning spaces areas for research, learning, and even creation.

Transcripts

578 how to design learning spaces in

libraries the ten-minute teacher podcast

with Vicki Davis every weekday you'll

learn powerful practical ways to be a

more remarkable teacher today so I'm so

excited about our conversation today

karma Scardino a media specialist at my

school this is for you because you just

asked me about learning space design and

we have one of the experts with us

Carolyn Foote who is a techno librarian

she actually received an a ASL library

collaboration award in 2019 and her blog

is the not so distant future Carolyn

when someone's looking at space where do

we start when we talk about learning

space design well I think that and thank

you for having me I think the first

place to start is by figuring out what

you want to accomplish for students a

lot of times we start with the furniture

and we really need to start with our

mission and goals and how it impacts

student learning even in the library and

so usually I suggest that people do

surveys of their student body ask

questions about how they learn what

things about the library interests them

how they learn in general where they

like to study where they like to meet

where they like to work on the computer

and then also ask the faculty those same

kinds of questions so that when you're

starting to think about a space you're

being inclusive people's needs so let me

ask you this what if they don't know

what's possible I mean so many people

have seen libraries and they just think

that I have to sit in a regular

up-and-down chair and a regular table

and they don't know that so much more is

possible d is there still room past the

survey to say hey let's dream yes and

definitely that's why I suggested

surveys and David Jake's taught me this

as well to think about asking questions

that are very open-ended like where do

you like to learn what's the place you

feel more most comfortable when you're

learning or thinking

studying so that you know so you're

asking broad questions so they aren't

kind of held up by their picture of a

library but then I think that another

clever way to do this that I learned

from edge topia was doing like a vision

design board and we did when actually

physically in our library with those

trifold boards and then you can put

photographs on them of weigh out things

like robots or 3d printers or a chair or

a slide or you know anything you want

and then you give students colored dots

or sticky notes but they only get three

and then they put them by the things

that appeal to them and so you get a

sense of what things are attractive or

interesting to students that are maybe

you know not about again not so much

about furniture but more about programs

or ideas but you can do it very

open-ended too you can have pictures of

traditional looking things and modern

looking things or nature and not nature

so you're just trying to get a feel for

their taste their interests and then I

think really going back to the because

they aren't going to know I've had some

librarians in my district do an activity

where they have students design the

library of the future like you know 20

years out what could you do and the

students will say things like we have

robots that show the books and we have a

slide you know if you have some some

activity that ask them to really think

beyond I think that's very helpful

strategy as well but then I also think

it's important to look at your district

mission and goals and think about where

do those aligned with what libraries are

all about we're really all about

connecting people with people connecting

people with ideas and connecting people

with things that contain ideas or things

that help them generate ideas whether

those things the books computers you

know 3d printers other humans so we're

really about connections so thinking

about what our overall missions of the

space is oh that's fantastic so you're

really starting with some information

gathering

some conversations surveys some research

how long does this vision casting time

typically last when you're looking at

either renovating or creating a learning

space well hopefully you have a few

months to do it that's not always the

case sometimes you have you know someone

people come to you and you have they

have money and you've got two weeks but

often you have enough time to do some

planning so definitely a period of a

couple of months or longer because part

of the planning is also creating an idea

book or a Pinterest page now pulling

ideas yourself from things that you

think meet those goals and what students

were saying what teachers are saying

maybe you want to go look at other

library spaces or even like a think tank

space in your town or an art museum or

children's museum so you want to curate

a lot of ideas for yourself so you do

need to allow ample time for that whole

process to happen you may want to put

together an advisory committee with

stakeholders in a district or in the

school so the more lead time you can

take the better obviously but at least

here three months so you can gather all

this and and make something that you

know I'm making something that makes

sense for you well in isn't it also

about helping everybody get on board

because you know I found that change

that people are part of tends to be a

lot more positively received then change

that is forced on people that's exactly

right and that's why I think getting

student input teacher input or even

having like I said an advisory committee

or some sort of library you know rethink

the library group that comes together

periodically and Thaksin looks at all

the data really helps people feel

committed to the whole process sometimes

it involves rebranding you know entirely

so you may have curriculum people

involved from the district or your

principal or sometimes that depends on

how large your district is whether it

would be your principal or people

curriculum office if you're in a smaller

district but just having people involved

and helping you think about how are you

going to rebrand

because what happens is when you start

rethinking your space if you're really

wanting to turn things over a little bit

and hump over some traditions and look

at making things new that may affect

policies you have they may affect your

programs they may affect you know how

you work with teachers it's really good

to have more people involved so that how

depends on how extensive what you're

doing is but people get on board people

get excited about it in your community

tsunkat what big question I and I just

always have to ask this because you know

for a while everybody talked about

Learning Commons now you know it's

learning spaces library that term is not

used quite as much media centers not

used quite as much is there one term

that progressive maybe is specialists

kind of use now for their spaces is it

just called learning spaces now or what

I think Learning Commons is still being

used we call our library the research

center I think every broadened out that

so many people are coming up with

different titles for the space a lot of

them rotating around the Learning

Commons concept though where you're

trying to bring together ideally you're

designing a school you can bring

together the counselors and the tech

team all these people start surrounding

the library so everybody's kind of

working together so what are some of the

names you've heard I've heard library

incubator library Technology Center I've

heard Garza's Research Center I still

hear library media center a lot meilleur

Learning Commons and then you get cute

names the nook or book nook or the tree

house or you know names that people have

come up with at their particular

location that they've rebranded

sometimes people have students vote on

the name for the space we did that

within our library so some of our spaces

like our tech help area and cafe area

where students can eat as the juice bar

but it's because of electrical juices as

well as they can break in there you

know that was student voted on the

students came up with that so what are

the names of all the spaces in your

library

we have brainstorming room slash

computer lab areas are called the bat

cave and the shrieking Shack

so from Harry Potter and from Batman

students voted on both of those we have

the story bar and we have the juice bar

so the story bar is where you have the

books there's an area where books are

genre fide because we haven't John

referred our whole library so we did

that to our ninth graders because the

middle school Shawn resides so we have a

small area of genre five titles so

that's where they are yeah so we have

different areas of the students voted on

not like this

well you're such a great resource and I

know that media specialist librarians

would love to read your blog the not so

distant future Carolyn this is such an

exciting topic and just re-envisioning

what you're learning area can be that

has books and so many other things

thanks Carolyn thank you thanks for

having me and we've definitely gotten

some visionary topics for discussing

what's going on in your library or your

media center what types of things do you

want to see happening there should you

change the name but remember if you just

change the name and you don't change how

a space is used then it's just a window

dressing we actually want kids to be

researching and learning and sometimes

even making in our common media spaces

so how this conversations and discuss if

you need to recraft the vision for your

media center or your library