The heart of the new Centennial Campus is the central learning commons, a dynamic teaching and learning environment with the inbuilt flexibility required for the 21^st century student.  

Warm and welcoming.  Lounge chairs and diner booths.  Food and drinks.  Late night access.  Chatting with friends.  Wired and wireless.  Does this sound like the newest coffee shop in town?  No.  It is a fitting description of the centerpiece of The University of Hong Kong’s Centennial Campus, the Learning Commons.   

But there is more.  No matter what your learning style or requirement, you will benefit from this expansive and innovative space: serious study spaces, formal and informal teaching venues, state-of-the-art technology with access to the world’s vast digital research collections and people to help you either individually or in groups.    

Loosely defined as a shared or common space in which students, teachers and others can come together to interact, the concept of the Learning Commons has evolved as learners needs have changed.  Once confined to the traditional study spaces available in their libraries, university students now seek out a wider range of options for study that will suit their needs at any point in time.   

Coffee shops, canteens, dormitories, outdoor spaces are now all fair game for students to gather, share ideas and learn.  In an environment that is driven by the ever growing supply of digital resources, by the increasing demands for collaborative and interactive learning, and by varying individual styles of learning, learning spaces have not only changed but have changed dramatically.   

6,000m² space for 21^stC learning needs 

The idea of a learning “place” is very important for students so, along with the developing concept of the learning commons, the library as such a “place” has also changed.  Along with learning commons, libraries are also evolving as places where students not only access resources and study but also where they can meet, work and socialize with other students.  The relationship between libraries and learning commons is highly symbiotic. 

HKU’s Centennial Campus has at its heart the Learning Commons.  Spread over three floors, this 6,000 m² space will cater to the needs of the learner of 2012 and beyond.   

The Learning Commons will comprise three fundamental types of learning spaces.  Individual, self-paced learning remains a demand from students and a variety of spaces will be provided for this learning style.  These will include quiet study areas, reading and lounging areas and single computer access stations.  Collaborative learning spaces will also be provided in the form of more traditionally styled work tables as well as diner booth style places that are well suited to group interactivity.  In a more formal setting, tutorial rooms, fully equipped electronic classrooms and lecture theatres will also be available.  With seating for more than 2,000, the University’s additional student intake resulting from the 3-3-4 curriculum will be well catered for by 2012. 

Student-centred, full-fledged services 

Central to any learning commons environment are the services that are made available within them.  Librarians will help students to navigate and effectively scrutinize and utilise the vast array of digital information resources that are already now available but which are destined to further expand by 2012.  Technology experts will assist students with the latest software that will assist their studies.  Experts in a range of academic related skills will also be available to help students to master effective learning and study skills, to craft their assignments and to present their research and learning findings in the most effective and persuasive manner.  Career counseling, copying and binding services will also be available.   

But students are not the only ones that will gain from the learning commons environment.  Teaching and research staff will also benefit from the innovative range of spaces.  In addition to the opportunity to meet with their students both formally and less formally, staff will be able to find spaces that will enable them to work collaboratively with colleagues from other fields, to share ideas on new teaching techniques, as well as the opportunity to learn, among other things, new teaching skills, how to compose successful research grant proposals and effective publishing techniques. 

Eco-friendly and flexible spaces 

Architecturally, and along with the rest of the Centennial Campus, planning for the Learning Commons is taking into consideration eco-friendly and sustainable construction methods and materials.  With this in mind the Learning Commons will be a space that will inspire learners and educators alike with ample glass providing optimum natural lighting as well as visually appealing aspects onto leafy courtyards, fountains and the surrounding lush environment.   

Design features will accommodate a range of learning and teaching spaces but will also be built with a view to providing maximum flexibility within these spaces.  Flexibility of spaces is essential for two reasons.  Firstly, the growth of technology makes it nearly impossible to predict what type of spaces will be possible or needed most four years from now.  Secondly, the spontaneous nature of today’s students will necessitate that, with little advance notice, groups of students and teachers can gather for a range of activities such as speeches, debates, performances, meetings, exhibitions or even recreation. 

As a centerpiece of the Centennial Campus, the Learning Commons will not only serve to enhance the University’s status as a world-class institutions, it will also serve to showcase Hong Kong’s long established reputation as an education hub renowned for its creativity and innovation.  Perhaps of greatest significance is that the Learning Commons will provide the University with an academic environment that will generate an even greater sense of community further nurturing students who are destined to be tomorrow’s leaders for Hong Kong, Mainland China and the global community. 

Learning Commons: A Global Phenomenon 

They may appear under different names like “library commons”, “information commons”, “learning centres” or “learning grids”, but irrespective of what they may be called, the introduction of the learning commons concept is rapidly sweeping institutes of higher learning across the globe.  While many of these facilities enjoy their own unique style that is reflective of local requirements, they share in common an approach to learning space that is designed to accommodate a range of learning styles with an array of supporting services. 

While a relatively new concept for some, many libraries have grappled with the notion since the early 1990s.  The University of Southern California Leavey Library celebrated its Information Commons’ tenth anniversary in 2004!  In the past five years any library renovation that has not included a learning commons component would be in a minority.  This has certainly been evident across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and, increasingly, Asia including Hong Kong.  HKU’s Learning Commons will draw upon the most successful elements of both new and older learning commons in constructing its own for the Centennial Campus. 

Internationally, the popularity of the learning commons has grown as they tend to bring together a range of services usually found in various places around campus and the convenience of “one-stop shopping” is increasingly important for busy students regardless of their origin or country of study.