library Learning Commons certification process

  1. Read the Planning Guide below to help you decide if you are ready to begin the Library Learning Commons Certification process.
  2. Discuss your intent to apply with your principal. Ask for their support and a letter of endorsement.
  3. Contact LME Supervisor Holly Frilot with your intent to apply.
  4. Review the LLC Certification Portfolio Guidelines. Draft responses. 
  5. Contact Holly Frilot with questions as you work through your application. She is your coach through this process.
  6. Collect artifacts and/or videos to show evidence of Library Learning Commons services, resources, and intentional spaces. A minimum of three pieces of evidence are needed. 
  7. Create your Library Learning Commons Certification Portfolio as a website or visual portfolio. Be sure to include your evidence and an endorsement letter from the principal. 
  8. Submit your Library Learning Commons Certification Portfolio. 
  9. Let Holly Frilot know your application is complete.
  10. Receive feedback from the Library Learning Commons Advisory Board. 
  11. Make revisions as needed and submit. 
  12. You will be contacted to set up a time for the Library Learning Commons Advisory Board to visit your school. Visits typically include a combination of online and in-person attendance. 

Library Learning Commons certification planning Guide

​Step 1: Evaluate your program against the tenets of a Library Learning Commons: 

  • The Library Learning Commons represents a philosophy of flexible learning in programming and design, centers on collaboration, encourages innovation, and incorporates the unique culture of the local school community.
  • All Library Learning Commons are student-centered and provide informational resources, productivity tools, and services to support and accelerate student learning (Pressley, 112).
  • The Library Learning Commons continues to support teaching and learning, but also provides space for “experimenting, playing, making, doing, thinking, collaborating, and growing” (Loertscher, E3).
  • Through the instructional leadership and collaborative work of the Library Media Specialist (LMS), students learn digital literacy skills, engage in creative thinking, and are prepared for their futures.
  • Scheduling of the Library Learning Commons is flexible, rather than fixed, at least 75% of the school day.​​
Step 2: Engage students and staff in the Library Learning Commons transformation process.
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  • The Library Learning Commons is a space designed for its users, primarily students. If possible, create a student advisory committee to discuss potential changes to your space and garner student input. 
  • Engage teachers and staff members about how a Library Learning Commons is different from a media center. Work collaboratively with teachers to design lessons that meet standards and build digital literacy skills.​
Step 3: Evaluate the services provided in your library media program. The library media specialist should:

  • Collaborate with teachers across the curriculum regularly.
  • Collaborate with teachers about STEM, STEAM, arts integration, and/or inquiry-based / project based learning.
  • Implement a flexible schedule for the majority of the school day.
  • Provide instruction in current research, technology, and productivity tools. 
  • Provide ongoing support to classes and individual students throughout long and short-term assignments.
  • Provide professional learning for teachers.
Step 4: Evaluate the resources provided by your library media program in the context of a Library Learning Commons: 
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  • Print and digital resources, including and in addition to Cobb Digital Library 
  • Instructional resources and productivity tools
  • Genrefication of the fiction collection
  • Easily accessible technology, such as laptops, desktops, and tablets, available for students
  • Video production resources, such as green screens, cameras, apps, etc.
  • Additional resources that encourage creative thinking, such as Legos, robotics, 3D printers, coding, circuits, etc.

It is recommended that the library media specialist also take the following steps:
  • Run a collection analysis in Follett Destiny. Note the number of items in your collection and the average age of your collection. 
  • ​Weed your print collection as needed. On average, Library Learning Commons that support schools of our size contain 8,000 - 12,000 print books. The majority of books tend to be fiction, and the non-fiction collections include less reference material and more high-interest books. 
  • Run reports in MackinVIA to show usage of the digital collection of databases, resources, and e-books. Weed as needed. ​
Step 5: Discuss the intentional spaces in your media center in the context of a Library Learning Commons: 
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  • Flexible furniture, such mobile tables and chairs
  • Large group instruction area
  • Collaborative small group work spaces
  • Support for devices, such as easily accessible power
  • Quiet/independent areas
  • Inviting seating, soft seating, and/or active seating
  • Programming that encourages creativity and innovation, such as makerspaces or arts integration.  ​
Step 6: Use this Planning Guide Chart to help you reflect on your current Library Learning Commons and plan for the future. Contact Holly Frilot with questions, concerns, and to request feedback. 
Step 7: Determine the artifacts you will use to support your application. ​Review the rubric carefully to ensure the minimum criteria is met.
Sources:
Loertscher, David V., and Carol Koechlin. "Climbing to excellence: Defining characteristics of successful learning commons." Knowledge Quest 42.4 (2014): E1.  
Pressley, Lauren. "Charting a Clear Course: A State of the Learning Commons." ACRL. N.p., 22 Mar. 2017. Web. 9 July 2017. Link.