Recent changes to the ENMU-Ruidoso Learning Commons and Library provide more interactive opportunities for students.
Recent changes to the ENMU-Ruidoso Learning Commons and Library provide more interactive opportunities for students. (Courtesy photo)

The concept of learning commons is relatively new to library science, but an idea that is quickly catching on, especially in colleges and universities. While ENMU-Ruidoso underwent room and numbering changes this summer, head librarian, James Pawlak, decided to implement a change in the library as well. Visitors to the college's Learning Commons and Library will discover a much more active, responsive and user-friendly environment.

The origin of learning commons arose from two seemingly disparate trends: the recognition that students learn in different ways and the increase of technologically based instruction. Rather than monastic cubicles, spaces are now viewed as being dynamic areas where furniture can be re-arranged and students can meet, collaborate and brain storm among themselves and with tutors and faculty on hand to answer questions. An erasable white board covers a large section of one wall, tables are close to outlets so students can plug in their laptops and a work station is available for quick printing.

"One of the things we noticed when we actually looked to see what students needed here was simple the ability to print an assignment," Pawlak said. "Before, we had students sign in, then we assigned them a computer where they plugged in a thumb drive to send the information to the printer. Now they can come in, take that thumb drive directly to the work station, print and go. It's much faster and the process is more user-centered. What we want is to be used rather than being useful. It's about 'habitability' and bringing people in. The learning commons idea is really an enhancement to the traditional library and the result has been a lot more activity. It's phenomenal how many more students we've seen in the couple of weeks since classes started.



With activity comes noise, but there is an area designated as a quiet study space. The only construction project this summer was to install two walls to partition off the learning commons from the rest of the library. The area outside of the walls is surprisingly silent. "We have self-motivated students who want to be alone and who need a place where there is no commotion to study. There are areas for that, too," Pawlak said. "It really is the best of both worlds."

"The library continues to evolve," he continued. "We are actively watching students to see what we can do to augment their classroom learning while providing a dynamic place to interact. Whether it means something like having pencils and paper on hand to offering the latest educational tools and technology support, we are committed to making this space more habitable. It's not a traditional library. It is the library of the future, and we are all excited to see where the idea of a learning commons will lead us."

Lisa Maue is a community education coordinator at ENMU-Ruidoso. She can be reached at 575-257-2120 or e-mail at