St. Edward's University Learning Commons: Research and Toolkit

The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the literature on the information commons and learning commons concepts in the academic library setting, particularly in the context of the needs of the Scarborough-Phillips Library at St. Edward’s University. We examined the information commons and learning commons concepts in light of several key areas: planning and assessment, space allocation, staffing issues, services offered, resources made available, and technology issues. This report summarizes and analyzes our findings, and articulates benefits and drawbacks to the implementation of an information or learning commons in the existing library space.