The Information and Learning Commons: Some Reflections

The Information and Learning Commons mode of library organization has become more prevalent over the past few decades and allows academic libraries to provide wider-ranging and more cohesive services to their constituents. Several issues, including relying upon a single, mythical “Patron” in planning for services; poor organization; a lack of cohesion and centralized leadership; and the “digital divide” may hinder the effectiveness of the Commons and negatively impact both patrons and staff. If these problems can be surmounted, this model shows great promise for both current and future application in academic libraries.