Different school library models can be adopted to turn the library into a learning hub at the heart of the school. All of them are focused on delivering a quality service with the information needs of library users in mind.
Learning Commons
A learning commons is described by Buress, Atkins, and Burns (2018) as a place that promotes a participatory culture, with flexible furniture, virtual learning, and collaborative practice. The Future Ready Librarians (n.d.) framework highlights the need for librarians to build instructional partnerships. Co-teaching between the teacher librarian (TL) and classroom teachers involves collaborative planning, delivery, and assessment to draw on different areas of expertise.
iCentre
The iCentre model can be adopted to transform school libraries into information technology hubs. It brings together the expertise of technical and library teams to offer technological support to the school community. Collaboration between the library, technology and curriculum teams can result in the implementation of a schoolwide digital citizenship program. Hay (2015) suggests key features of an iCentre include flexible spaces to accommodate the movement of people, pedagogical focus on technology innovation, and consolidation of expertise to provide a centralised support centre.
Hyperlinked Libraries
The hyperlinked library model delivers an anywhere, anytime service for users. The participatory nature of this model seeks creative input from users and adapts to trends and emerging technology. Stephens (2022) explains that hyperlinks also describes people who make connections with groups and individuals in physical and virtual spaces. Offering information services that are not restricted to a time and place focus on participation and may reach a wider audience.
References
All4Ed. (n.d.). Future Ready Schools. https://futureready.org/frlplaybook/
Burress, R., Atkins, C., & Burns, C. (2018). Learning Commons as a catalyst for instructional partnerships. Teacher Librarian 45(4), 28-31.
Hay, L. (2015). The evolution of the iCentre model. Teacher Librarian 42(4), 15-19.
Stephens, M. (2022). Hyperlinked Libraries. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed., pp. 229-239). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated.
