Infinite Learning: Library as Classroom

Image source: dizain, Adobe Stock

I have spent decades in early childhood education, and my library experience has been in a middle school library, so I was excited to learn more about Infinite Learning models. I had a hard time deciding which model I wanted to more deeply explore! I am hoping to pursue children’s or youth services in a public library when I graduate, and I think making learning fun in a library setting will be a big part of my job, so, while I think there is a lot of crossover between all three models, I am going to be writing mostly about the Library as Classroom model in this post.

As an early childhood educator, I know well that children (and, arguably, most adults) learn best through play. It may go against everything we have been conditioned to think of as “education,” (the misguided idea that learning only happens with formal instruction), but the best way to support learning is to provide enriching experiences and materials, and watch the magic happen! Because the library is, by its very nature, full of enriching materials, it is naturally very easy to support learning, with a little intentionality and awareness. @michael states in The Heart of Librarianship that “[t]he library as creative classroom means we approach the learning opportunities we create with thought, user-directed planning, and insights from research” (Stephens, 2016, p.128).

This reminds me of my time working in a middle school library just prior to the pandemic. We noticed that many students would use a library pass to leave class and come to the library to play Minecraft throughout the day. We decided that rather than blocking the game on library computers, as our predecessors had, we would find a way to make the game more purposeful/focused and learning-centered. Each month brought a new Minecraft challenge to the library, and we even instituted “Minecraft Mornings” so students could spend uninterrupted time playing together before school started each morning. What had created a sticky discipline issue previously instead became a student-centered, teamwork-oriented, learning-driven activity that made students excited to come to the library! Our library became a classroom as we embedded learning experiences into the activities that were already taking place there, and our students became active learners as they participated in activities they were interested in. In the Creative Classroom, students learn with others in a collaborative environment, by creating, exploring, and playing (Stephens, March 2016).

Students learning together through Minecraft!

There is a new library here in Northern Colorado – Greeley’s LINC (Library Innovation Center) – with the tagline “where creativity and possibility comes to life” (High Plains Library District, n.d., last para.). LINC was created in response to Greeley community members’ requests for “a place where children can be entertained while learning, where new technologies are made available to all, where teens and adults can learn new skillsets and a place where the community could gather for events” (Thomas, 2023, para. 3). LINC has really embraced the idea of Library as Classroom. Dr. Matthew Hortt, High Plains Library District executive director, calls LINC an “activity hub that links together a public library, an innovation center, and an arts space for adults and children that will spark interest, create curiosity, and inspire exploration” (My Greeley, 2023, para. 1). I haven’t yet had a chance to visit (it’s about an hour away from me), but it seems amazing, and my friends who live closer to it say it is a huge community asset!

LINC is housed in a 62,000 square foot structure full of innovative services and spaces for learning and community. There is a fully-equipped makerspace with 3D printers, laser engravers, die-cut machines, and a UV Printer. There is also a workshop where patrons can use woodworking equipment such as a CNC Router, a table saw, a planer, a lathe, and other industrial tools. There are classrooms, an art studio, a television studio, and a recording studio. For a cozy reading or remote working experience, LINC has an atrium with an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and a quiet reading room. There are also five study rooms, four meeting rooms, two collaboration spaces, two computer classrooms, two general classrooms, and a large event space. For younger patrons, LINC is home to a hands-on learning children’s exhibit and a two-story, large-scale interactive art installation (my friends with young kids love this area!), as well as a Children’s Library with a hobbit door entrance, storytime room, LED-light patterned sky, and fun architectural features for kids to explore. For older kids and teens, there is a gaming room next to the Children’s Library (High Plains Library District, n.d.).

In addition to the space, LINC offers a variety of engaging programs, such as: the Youth Biz Academy for Young Entrepreneurs, Crafty Teens arts & crafts club for tweens and teens, community groups such as fiber arts classes and woodcarvers clubs, the Social Club for high schoolers, Playdate Cafe for children and caregivers, Coding Club, Music Production workshops, STEAM Storytimes, and much more (High Plains Library District, 2024)!

For a city of around 112,000 (United States Census Bureau, 2023), LINC is a really impressive community achievement. There are plenty of spaces and opportunities for community members to come together in collaboration and learn through creating, exploring, and playing. It is a prime example of connected learning, and can be a model for other librarians. Though not all libraries will have the space, facilities, materials, or funding of LINC, the concepts and framework at the heart of LINC can be emulated. Nygren (2014) says, “In the ‘connected learning’ approach, learning is accelerated when it is powered by an individual’s interests and passions, supported by peers, and in spaces where an individual feels valued and safe.” An environment and programs that support this “connected learning” are what we should be striving to create in our libraries.

References

dizain. (n.d.). Library word cloud collage, education concept background [Graphic]. Adobe Stock. https://as2.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/03/22/58/13/1000_F_322581328_kXiiht8JzlvcBeChodrX25FnoMZUWp26.jpg

CBS Colorado. (2023, May 24). LINC, Greeley’s new $30 million investment, revolutionizes libraries as we know them [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/y07nCbzahaE?si=Rw7s2l0BRX7kL1NV

High Plains Library District. (n.d.). LINC library innovation center. Retrieved on November 29, 2024, from https://www.mylibrary.us/linc/

High Plains Library District. (2024, November-December). HPLD calendar – Upcoming events. https://highplains.libcal.com/calendar/hpld?cid=8181&t=d&d=0000-00-00&cal=8181&cm=4559&inc=0

My Greeley. (2023, May 5). Greeley’s new LINC library, a ‘connector for the community.’ City of Greeley. https://mygreeley.com/linc-library-innovation-center/

Nygren, A. (2014). The public library as a community hub for connected learning. IFLA. https://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/1014/1/167-nygren-en.pdf

Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions.

Stephens, M. (2016, March 29). Learning everywhere: The hyperlinked library as classroom. SJSU School of Information. https://ischool.sjsu.edu/ciri-blog/learning-everywhere-hyperlinked-library-classroom

Thomas, D. (2023, May 24). LINC, Greeley’s new $30 million investment, revolutionizes libraries as we know them. CBS News Colorado. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/linc-greeley-investment-revolutionizes-libraries-northern-colorado/

United States Census Bureau. (2023, July 1). Quick facts Greeley city, Colorado. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/greeleycitycolorado/PST045223