What is the EdHub? A 21st century learning commons

Posted by: Megan Enger

APA Citation: 

Boss, S. (2017, December 7). A small town school embraces a big vision. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/small-town-school-embraces-big-vision/

Summary: This Edutopia resource explains how Superintendent Buddy Barry transformed a high school with declining enrollment in Eminence, Kentucky: by identifying the needs of a 21st century learner, he helped create the “EdHub” and transform not only enrollment numbers but the whole community. A nickel tax raised $6 million dollars and renovated the entire building to look more like Google’s headquarters than a traditional high school. Materials for student checkouts still include books, but also power tools and robotics equipment. There are eight makerspaces and opportunities for dual enrollment through the local community college. This article also includes three embedded videos showing the EdHub in action and with testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators; one video gives an overview of the space, another focuses on the Early College Program, and another showcases a hands-on learning project.

Evaluation: This article is a fantastic starting place for those interested in learning about the EdHub. It comes from a reputable source and succinctly explains how Buddy Barry accomplished such a transformation. The videos are a nice bonus that clearly illustrate the community impact. Even schools with small footprints and smaller budgets will be inspired by the EdHub–it asks us all to reconsider how the library can still be the hub of the school and envisions a 21st century learning commons to best serve student needs. Those wanting to learn more about the EdHub should check out their website, especially for Eminence’s mini-credential program that is structured like merit badges (earned when students demonstrate competency in things like 3D printing and stop motion). Additionally, Dr. Loertscher interviewed the EdHub’s librarian and an ELA teacher turned “integration specialist” who speak to the value of having a dedicated staff supporting this community.

Urban Libraries Conference Highlights STEAM

Leala Arnold

Enis, M.  (2016) Urban libraries conference highlights STEAM for kids, programs for adults, and DC Makers in residence. Library Journal.  Retrieved from: https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2016/05/shows-events/urban-libraries-conference-highlights-steam-for-kids-programs-for-adults-and-dc-makers-in-residence/#_


This article was about the Urban Libraries conference, and discusses a number of the discussions that took place during the conference.  Some of the programs discussed the importance of STEAM in libraries and Social media marketing.  The idea was to make sure that the community understood how important libraries are for the community.  "Despite the advent of Google and other tools that have simplified access to information, public libraries have maintained their relevance by responding to complex problems within their communities."

I thought this was an informative article that highlights all of the interesting discussions that took place during the conference. It helps you to understand exactly what goes on in the conference, and also informs the reader of the importance of the discussion topics.

Juvenile science collections of public libraries

Tracy, Anna

INFO 266, Fall 2016

Juvenile science collections of public libraries

This article posed 6 questions to determine the differences and similarities between three public libraries within the same county but that have varying demographics and locations from a rural, suburban and urban. The proportion of J 500s to overall nonfiction were looked at, as well as the type and caliber of science materials offered at these three different locations. A good portion of this article discusses the importance of nonfiction, not only for school work but for leisure reading and how different libraries do their nonfiction selection and weeding.

I chose this article because it sounded similar to what sections I had chosen for our collection mapping project. Just as I mentioned in my infographic, this article relates the importance of nonfiction science sections to schools and the natural relationship between schools and public libraries in offering a valued service to their community. It suggested a partnership with local science teachers to bridge the gap in knowledge for librarians who, more than likely, do not have a scientific background, to cease any discomfort in lack of knowledge and the ability to order effectively.

Approximately 20% percent of the three libraries nonfiction sections was dedicated to Science. I thought this was interesting considering 20.02% of my nonfiction collection is dedicated to STEAM materials which I consider to be too low, given their high circulating nature.

Colom, H. M. (2010). Juvenile Science Nonfiction: A Comparison of the Collections of a Rural, a Suburban, and an Urban Public Library. Current Studies In Librarianship, 30(1/2), 79-94.

Posted by Jenny Cofell
'Changing Needs, Changing Roles'

Thompson, J. (Spring 2015).  Changing needs, changing roles:  How public libraries are expanding traditional service models to best serve their communities.  Reference & User Services Quarterly, 54(3), 2 – 5.

Summary:  This article talks about trends that are impacting reference and user services in public libraries and then highlighting creative ways that libraries are coping with these trends positively.  The three main trends are listed as follows:  Data explosion, Digital divide and Early Learning Initiatives.

For all three trends, libraries are well positioned to develop partnerships, as well as provide information, materials, and programs to help communities make sense of, and thrive within their communities.  Successful libraries of the future will need to become these 4 things within the community:  Developers of Partnerships (STEAM), Content creators (Innovation Labs), Early Learning champions (Preliteracy programs and Material Advisors (Reading Clubs).  Collections need to become broader and include materials that support partnerships, content creators, early learners and material advisors.

Evaluation:  The idea of Early Learning as a trend in libraries was interesting to me.  At my library we do tons of this already.  We know that strong preliteracy skills in children help them to succeed in their academic career.  What I hadn’t thought is the positive effect strong preliteracy skills have on a community.  In this article we read, “This is also a workforce and economic development issue because an educated community is better prepared to innovate and address the challenges of the twenty-first century.”  (p.3).   I also appreciated the idea of libraries as ‘content creators’ and ‘material advisors’.