Student Involvement in the Learning Commons
Finally, involve students in designing the learning commons and train them to help run it.
Involving students in the learning commons gives them a sense of ownership in it. They will sense that their library is centered around them. Send out a survey so you can gather design input from the students. Ask them what they would like to be able to do in the library. Then, involve them in the redesign. Have students help move furniture and rearrange books. Rather than hiring painters, allow students to volunteer for small paint jobs. Instead of buying posters, have students hang their artwork, or create posters for the library using a free website. Not only does this free up valuable time for you to focus on your job, but it can also save money. But why not go further?
Students can also help organize programs, run activities, and troubleshoot technology. After a staff reduction, Heather Turner, a librarian at a middle school in Syracuse, New York, organized a group of students, known as the iStaff, to help run her learning commons. "The iStaff I envisioned would help create, develop, and run the LLC, allowing me more time for collaboration with teachers and reaching more students. The iStaff would not be limited to a grade level and was to be open to all interested students" (Turner, 2014). Each day, she hands out a limited number of "LLC passes" so that they can work on the iStaff that day. Now, she uses an online system for sign-ups.
What are the responsibilities of the iStaff? Turner writes: “Students are in charge of charging iPods, iPads, laptops, and any other technology in the LLC. This year the iStaff is learning how to use all of the technology in the school so that these students can troubleshoot in their own classrooms. They help fellow students with technology issues, set up for events in the LLC, promote events, create bulletin boards, circulate books, shelve, and much more. They make suggestions to make the LLC a better place. They are leaders to their peers.”
Involving students in the learning commons not only saves money, but time to focus on collaboration with teachers and staff members.