Recently, I have been hearing the term “learning commons.” It seems to be used alongside phrases like “a place for creative learning” and “a shared space for learning.”

Before the term “learning commons” emerged, there was something in libraries called an “information commons.” It seems to have started with library catalog searches, but with the spread of the internet, it gained attention as a place for searching global library collections, developing search skills, and fostering information literacy. Recently, there has been a notable movement to create learning commons—learning spaces that leverage the advantages of libraries, which provide access to various information resources, rather than just being places for information literacy development.

In the United States, learning commons spaces are attached to libraries. I have heard that some universities include active learning support facilities like the University of Tokyo’s KALS, spaces where students can learn while accessing library collections and information on the internet, and student support facilities such as career centers.

I have heard that movements to introduce such spaces are becoming active in Japan as well.

Until now, I have had the image of a library as a place where you “read or study quietly,” and I think that is a space where that itself is a rule. If we define a learning commons as a “place for creative and collaborative learning,” then it is a learning space that contradicts those rules. This presents a significant barrier to using existing libraries. I believe the building structure and user awareness are particularly thick walls. In the case of buildings, I think they are structured on the premise of being “used quietly.” At Kanazawa University, there is an atrium from the second to the third floor. Voices echo well in an atrium space. Also, even in libraries that are separated by floor, the question arises: what should be done with the existing collection?

From the user’s perspective, most people who use the library are looking for a “quiet space.” At Kanazawa University, people who want to study collaboratively with peers use the cafeteria. If such a learning commons were introduced into the current library, I worry about what would happen to the existing users. We must also consider learning spaces for those who want to study quietly on their own.

There are various difficult issues, and I am deepening my understanding while studying them one by one and talking with various vendors. A vendor is coming tomorrow, so I would like to study a bit more. Until now, I have known about learning spaces only at the level of using or visiting them, but I never dreamed that I would be involved in something like this. There is a lot I don’t know, but I want to do my best. If we can effectively use the current space to create a learning commons-like environment, I believe that in itself would be valuable.

If it goes well, I hope to develop this to the level of research. However, research on such learning spaces seems difficult. It seems that various factors will be involved. I would like to look into previous research as well.