Sykes, Judith A.

"The idea of the learning commons ... [is] to transform the central idea of a school library stocked with resources repository into a vibrant and central component of teaching and learning in the school community ... [Introduces] the idea of the learning commons as the extension of each classroom, the cross-classroom connection, and the center of active learning that extends beyond the school ... [Includes] resources to use and strategies to build and create a ... learning community"--Pages ix-x.

Presents a model of an action research process teacher-librarians or school library media specialists may use to gather data about the effectiveness and importance of the school library, and explains how to use the results to promote the school library. Includes a CD-ROM featuring a complete, ready-made PowerPoint presentation.

Describes eighteen library center programs for students in grades kindergarten through six, designed to help them develop the skills they need to use the library's many information resources independently, while also learning about a curriculum topic.

Presents a guide to aligning school library programs and instructional practice with research on the key concepts of brain-compatibility learning.