Common Knowledge: Learning Spaces in Academic Libraries

The first iterations of the information commons organized library work space around access to digital resources, with research and computing assistance also available. More recently, however, change in academic libraries has paralleled the reorientation of knowledge in higher education. With further involvement in campus-wide initiatives and an emphasis on the social dimension of learning, the learning commons represents transformative change that extends beyond the reach of the traditional academic library. A review of literature on the learning commons provides case studies that reveal collaborative space, partnerships leading to integrated service, and user-centered assessment.