The Middle School Learning Commons - Part 1

   This is the first of a 2-part series on the new Middle School Learning Commons.

   After a summer's worth of renovation work, a new space has been brought to life in Conover.  It's called The Learning Commons and features two distinct areas. One area serves as the Middle School library. (The other area, the MakerSpace, will be featured in the next post.) After years of doing without, grades 5-8 now have a collection of books and research materials housed in a space specifically designed to serve its needs.
   The library has a number of distinct elements. There is, of course, shelving full of books and other related materials. Most of this collection can be checked out to students or faculty for use outside of Conover.  It's clear that the Middle School has quite a few readers; works of fiction are "flying off the shelves" according to Librarian Lia Carruthers.

 

  The library also has a SMARTBoard that is available for instructional use. Research projects are often centered in library research, and the Middle School now has an well-appointed facility for class instruction.

   Lia's desk is in the library space, but it is positioned for a sight line into the MakerSpace, the other area of the Learning Commons. She's seen in the picture below configuring several of the twenty Surface 3 tablets that are used for both research and MakerSpace projects. Just beyond her desk, you'll notice the mobile cart that is used to charge the tablets and transport them to classrooms in Conover as needed.  

In the picture's background, sliding glass doors separate the library from the MakerSpace.

   One last noteworthy feature of the library is the built-in display cabinet fashioned by Bob Ort.  The design allows for onlookers in the exterior hallway or from within the library to see exhibited books and materials.

   Coming up in the next post: a look at the MakerSpace.