Meeting the changing needs of our MHS students
You Can Teach an Old
Dog New Tricks
A
learning commons is the library world’s answer to
changing informational and technological needs of today’s
learners.
The
shift has been from learning information to
knowledge creation, collaboration, sharing and
publishing. Students are now lifelong learners who
have a digital footprint on the interactive World Wide
Web and information system.
This
requires a philosophical change in our
thinking as well as physical changes for our
space.
 It’s
time.
 We’re
Why Now?
looking for a new challenge.
 Since
students don’t work in a traditional way
(sitting at a desk or computer table), we need to
have a space more suited to their study habits.
 Our
students deserve to have a library that will
meet their technology and information needs.
 Collaboration
is key to success in the real world
and we need to provide the space for the students
to be able to work outside of the traditional
classroom setting.
Our Research and Inspiration
Book used at Spotsylvania
county librarian’s professional
development during 2009 -2010
school year
VEMA summer professional development July
2011 w/ Allison Zmuda
Supportive Administration
While we have read other books and articles on the
subjects, this book has been the best and most concise.
We have gotten many ideas from this book. We are
continually reading current literature about this concept.
Glen Allen High School in Henrico County
Angie Branyon and Rebecca Hardin have been so
helpful and supportive
We visited this new
school that was created
using the Learning
Commons approach,
met with the librarians
and got thoughts and
ideas for our
conversion.
Where We Were as of
October 2011
Average before school library use. We
usually see between 50 and 100 students
each morning. Their activities include
socializing, printing projects, checking in
and out of books and research.
One large teaching
area
Desktop computers
around edge of the room
Very traditional setting
and hard to rearrange for
different types of activities
Some tables, chairs and
sofas for relaxation (original
to the building as well as
purchased in the past year)
Where We Wanted to Be
by June 2012

More flexible room with smaller shelves at the back of
the library so that there will be more light

2 distinct teaching areas (both with mounted LCD
projectors and 1 with mounted Smart Board) with more
scheduled classes

Mostly laptops

Relaxation areas

Small group work areas

Ability to rearrange room for different types of activities

Additional flat-screen TV for back of the library
Stage 1
Weeding our collection of Reference books
and 000 – 699 nonfiction books
*Need to get rid of old and outdated
books
*Free up shelf space for display
*Weeding Status– books will go to
recycling – 84 boxes of book sent June
2012
Switching our desktop computers for laptops
and removing study carrels
Packing up the remaining library books in
these areas to that shelves can be moved to
new locations
Stage 1
Mounting a Smart Board in the back of
the library
Mounting a LCD projector to go with the
Smart Board
Moving the shelves to their new positions
Finding a location for a “Help Desk” in
the center of the library
Need Help?
Librarian
Stage 1 Progress
Prior to Rearranging
 Weeded
books.
approximately 2000 outdated
 Had
our study carrels and desktop
computers moved to the Multipurpose
Room and are using laptops.
 Had
our Smart Board and LCD projector
mounted with speakers and ready to use.
 Ordered
some additional furniture.
Short
Shelves
Tall
Shelves
Stage 1 Floor Plan
Location of Smart
Board & Projector
Stage 1 3D Floor Plan
Prior to Rearranging Shelves
Our library aides
helped us create
an element of
surprise . . .
by covering our
windows with
newspaper to keep
students from
peeking.
With the help
of our library
aides, we
moved tables,
chairs, books
and even a
few shelves
Moving Day
We are fortunate to have
the support of the football
coaches who brought the
team to the library for the
heavy lifting.
What we
thought would
take a long
time was
accomplished
in minutes
because of the
number of
boys who
wanted to help.
How Our Library Looks Today
Some Student Comments
about Our Library
It’s a very friendly environment 
The library provides a good place for me to think
and quietly do my schoolwork. Aside from being on
the court, it’s my favorite place to be in school.
We should get more couches!
I love the MHS library! & librarians.
from 2010 – 2011 Student Opinion Survey
Some Statistics
October 2011 –
1445 students used
the library during
school day - had 24
scheduled classes –
circulated 391
books
September 2012 –
1593 students used
the library during the
school day – had 18
scheduled classes –
circulated 1593 books
November 2011 –
1236 students used
the library during
school day – had 31
scheduled classes –
circulated 739
books
October 2012 –
1884 students used
the library during
school day – had 24
scheduled classes –
circulated 733 books
Stage 2
 Extensive
weeding of the 700 – 999
nonfiction and all of the fiction books
 Further rearranging to bring more light
into the room from the side windows
 Lighting Controls so that part of the
library can be dark for presentations
What will Stage 3 Be?
Increased collaboration with teachers
Increased student use of our library catalog and
databases
Carpet replacement
Furniture replacement with brighter tables and
chairs.
Bibliography
Harland, Pamela Colburn. The Learning Commons: Seven Simple Steps
to Transform Your Library. Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited,
2011. Print.
Loertscher, David V., Carol Koechlin, and Sandi Zwaan. The New
Learning Commons Where Learners Win!: Reinventing School
Libraries and Computer Labs. Salt Lake City: Hi Willow Research
&, 2008. Print.
Other Resources
Demco (for library furniture)
Gaylord (for library furniture)
www.floorplanner.com (designing floor plans)
Glen Allen High School Library Media Specialists – Angie Branyon
and Rebecca Hardin (for their encouragement and ideas)