SSRN.com President Gregg Gordon sees building learning communities as a core mission of libraries today. In his blog, Gregg says, “Librarians have a wealth of knowledge and specifically know:
• How to research & evaluate content
• How to use different resources for different purposes
• How to determine validity and appropriation
• How to think critically.”
Rather than making libraries irrelevant, the overabundance of information today makes it more important than ever for students to access the skills and knowledge of librarians to learn to manage information – both to save time and to acquire the best information available.
Together with library collections and services, library space is a key core mission. Libraries today are hubs for a variety of uses, from teamwork and collaboration to building a sense of shared mission among users. The Canaccord Learning Commons, currently under construction at Sauder School, is a good example of how we are expanding the notion of the library beyond its traditional borders – incorporating new technologies and innovative physical spaces.
Thanks to Lindsay Ure for pointing out Gregg’s blog.