What might a 21^st century library look like and is the building or the space more important than what is happening in that space?

Vibrant, inviting and innovative, a 21^st century library is a space for multiple uses with a diverse range of resources and systems. The Australian School Library Association (ASLA, 2013) articulates the need for educators to embrace and provide “knowledge building environments” to enhance collaboration and creativity (p. 10). With this in mind, a 21^st century library could be labelled as a learning commons, as it is not only a space for storing books and information, but is a collaborative learning hub for participatory learning, including inquiry and project-based learning (Koechlin & Sykes, 2014).

In order for students to be engaged in innovative and creative learning, this reimagined library which encompasses physical and virtual spaces, must have flexible learning spaces and furniture to support group work (large and small) as well as individual study (ASLA, 2013; Grigsby, 2015). There should always be books, as well as a range of digital devices and supporting IT infrastructure for device enabled spaces. Connectivity is key, and is often the challenge for efficient 21^st century information access and education.

Human resources are vital to a future-geared library, in spite of rapidly developing AI technology. Teacher-librarians, teachers and IT technicians are all important for supporting the educational and personal development of students. In the school library context, pedagogy should be central to the design and vision of the learning space. TLs can act as leaders here, modelling pedagogy which embraces cooperative, problem-based learning with information and digital literacies. Hay (2010) argues that the function of the school library should guide the form. If the purpose and function of a 21^st century library is to embrace the four Cs – critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration (Battelle for Kids, 2019) – then what the library looks and feels like is important, as this will reflect what is happening in the space.

Grigsby, S. (2015). Re-imagining the 21st century school library: From storage space to active learning space. Techtrends, 59(3), 103-106.

Hay, L. (2010). Shift happens. It’s time to rethink, rebuild and rebrand. Access, November, 5-10.

Koechlin, C. & Sykes, J. (2014). Canadian school libraries leading learning. Synergy, 12(2).