When you think of the library of the library as classroom, what image comes to mind? To me the initial image was that of the school librarian reading to the classroom much like this:
Story Time at the Young Readers Center at Library of Congress
However the Library as Classroom in the context of Infinite Learning is more complicated. It can mean any kinds of learning that can take place in the library. The main purpose is to foster the curiosity that is natural in people. So how are libraries applying a classroom like atmosphere? Through different forms of learning besides what one would expect from a typical classroom. One example is Storyville in the Baltimore County Public Library. Storyville was designed as a play and learn area to help promote early literacy and school readiness skills (bcpl.info). It is separated into seven different interactive play sections for kids to let their imagination run wild. Involved in the play areas are activity cards that are used to help promote literary.
Another activity that libraries have participated in to promote a more fun side of learning is the storywalk in which a picture book has been printed out and placed outside either the library or a nearby public park for passersby to read. This is to promote both movement in the outdoors for kids and literacy in a more creative way.
From both examples, it is clear that the library as classroom is bigger than the standard school classroom can be.
References:
Bookey, J. L. (2017, December 7). 8 awesome ways libraries are making learning fun. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/8-awesome-ways-libraries_b_7157462
Storyville. Baltimore County Public Library. (n.d.). https://www.bcpl.info/youth/storyville
StoryWalk: K-H Library. Kellogg-Hubbard Library. (n.d.). https://www.kellogghubbard.org/storywalk