Supporting project-based learning with innovative school library design

This article is part of our month-long series “The Modern K-12 Library,” exploring how shifts in school curriculum have impacted library design. Click here to see all the entries in this series.

The Media Center at Ladue Horton Watkins High School was designed to facilitate collaborative, project-based learning,

Many school districts are now emphasizing “21st Century Skills” such as collaboration, flexibility, leadership, and social skills. This shift in curriculum encourages collaboration between students and between educators. School librarians, with their expertise in information literacy and research skills, are a key collaborator. To support these changes in curriculum, librarians and other educators need flexible learning environments that can be quickly restructured for specific projects or lessons.

Some strategies for maximizing adaptability in a library space include:

• Flexible furniture options, including furniture on casters, which can be moved quickly and easily

• Defining spaces with moveable furniture instead of permanent walls

• Large, open spaces which can accommodate blended classes for team teaching sessions

• Diverse break-out spaces for group work, such as study nooks and focus rooms

• Multiple floor, wall and column outlets to support “plug and play” technology

For a deeper dive into how to design a library to support project-based learning, download our FREE resource, The Modern K-12 Library.