The Evolving Commons Concept: Information, Learning, Teaching, Research [International Conference on Information & Learning Commons, Dec. 10-11, 2007]

The Commons concept, developed in the early 1990’s, has evolved over time, taking different shapes and involving different resources and services as it has evolved, including the Information Commons, the Learning Commons, the Library Commons and the Research Commons. There are numerous similarities among the various iterations of the Commons and some clear differences. This presentation describes the basic foci and components of the Commons, found in most all iterations. The presentation then delineates and describes the variations among the different types of Commons as they move from library-centric and tactical initiatives to institution-wide and strategic. The Information-, Learning- and Library-Commons are designed primarily with students (mostly undergraduate) in mind. The Research Commons is designed with upper-level graduate students, faculty and researchers in minds. Examples of each type of Commons will be provided, as well as links to collections of Commons implementations, resources and bibliographies