PASCAL Member Conference

Academic libraries are rapidly approaching an inflection point. Fueled by the proliferation of digital information, the continued relevance of academic libraries has been called into question. In response, institutions across higher education have begun to re-imagine their central mission and value. Through innovative partnerships, programs, and structural re-alignments, academic libraries are devising new spaces and services in a paradigmatic shift that places student learning and academic support at its center. The "learning commons" concept is one such model. Evoking a variety of images and meanings across diverse institutions, the "learning commons," nevertheless, signifies a fundamental reframing of how libraries serve patrons. Panelists from three institutions discuss the similarities and differences in mission, organization, and implementation of a "learning commons" in their differing contexts. While the approaches vary, the end goals are similar -- integrating libraries into broader conversations around student support, academic success, professional and career outcomes, and student wellbeing.