The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win

by David V. Loertscher, Carol Koechlin, Sandi Zwaan

Loertscher, Koechlin, and Zwaan team up in this book to rethink everything about the function and role of school libraries and computer labs. It is often a case of 180 degree reconsideration. What does this mean? The profession has been on a command and control model: If we build it, they will come. We build a website and expect students and teachers to use it on our terms. They Google, instead. We expect teachers to appreciate the collections we build. They want classroom collections. We open our doors during the school day. Our patrons want 24/7-365 service.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this on loan for a weekend; I didn't quite finish it, but definitely got the gist. Good overview of where to go beyond "library 2.0" and some good outlooks on how to do it--still a bit dreamy, but it helps keep you in touch with younger teachers entering the profession.

[Maryanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my professor's book that I read for class and I think in combination with class discussions, it felt a little bit like overload for me as a result. It's an interesting introduction, however, to the ins and outs of transforming school library media centers into "client-side" organizations with some valuable advice from people who've made it work, so worth a skim.

[Vicki Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for librarians, librarian-teachers, media specialists and those responsible for school design including administrators and school board members. David Loertscher is one of the longstanding visionaries in this area and his vision for what media centers can and should be is inspiring to me. I've got a lot to learn but appreciate his well thought out opinions in this area.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about where school libraries need to go. Calls for more shared control of resources and space while urging school librarians to take on a larger leadership role. Great ideas about infusing schools with a culture of inquiry, literacy, and collaboration.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and blogged about it.