Learning Commons

About The "Commons"

The Evolution of the School Library

A learning commons is a flexible, interactive school hub for digital, print and multimedia learning resources. It's also the hub of student support, providing access to peer tutors, specialized teachers, library clerk, tutors and coaches.

A learning commons has a buzz about it, like the town square, a popular coffee shop, or an Apple store. People interact and move about on their own, pulling chairs together for a chat, showing each other interesting information, asking questions.

And there is plenty of customer support in the form of teachers, tutors, coaches and information specialists. These two components--engaged, interactive learning with expert support –are the secret to building brains and master learners.

But some of the biggest advantages of a learning commons lie behind the screens of computer monitors, laptop and tablet screens.

Here, students find the digital nerve centre for the school—the learning commons website. This is where students may have their own, safe, online presence; have a digital space to store and share their work; gain access to learning modules; collaborate with other students; and check in with teachers.

This digital space is also the hub for school news, events, celebrations and yearbooks. And this virtual learning space is never closed. So students, teachers and parents have access 24/7.

Both the digital and physical Learning Commons spaces are designed to facilitate teacher collaboration as well. Teachers from across the system can collaborate on developing rich learning modules and share best practice.

In the same way no two town squares are the same, no 2 two learning commons are the same. Each is collaboratively developed to meet the specific needs of its learning community.

At Bow Valley High School we have started to transiton over to this way of thinking. Creating a welcoming environment that provides our staff & student community with leading edge technology and numerous options to work effectively.

Staff

Mrs. Holliday is the Library Clerk at Bow Valley High School.

Office Hours:

• Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 4pm
• Friday 9am - 1:30pm

If you would like to access the "Commons" outside of these hours, please make prior arrangements with Mrs. Parres-Holliday 

It's All About Respect

The Library is available to classes and to individual students for quiet research, independent study, and reading. Students are expected to respect the need for this environment. The Library is open to individual students before school, at lunch, and during spare blocks.

Circulation Information

Student ID cards are required to borrow library or textbook materials.

Regular book items (fiction and non-fiction) are loaned for 4 weeks. They may be renewed provided that there is no wait list - just ask. Graphic novels are loaned for 7 days. Magazines and reference materials are for in-library use.

If the item you would like to borrow is currently signed out, you can place a hold at the Check-out Desk.

Overdue items: No new sign-outs are allowed when items are 30+ days overdue.

If you would like to make a recommendation for an item that we do not have in the Library, please stop by Mrs. Holliday's POD in the Library or send an email to