The Journey from Library Media Center to Learning Commons (Feature ARTICLE‪)‬

In early June 2008 I interviewed for the media specialist position at Beaufort Elementary School. Little did I know that this would launch an incredible journey unlike any other. During the interview, I shared my vision for the library media center and projected a three to five year timeline to give this vision life. My concepts and ideas resonated with the interview team. What does the 21st Century School Library Media Center look like? This has been a leading question for almost a decade, and nationally recognized professionals have explained that it has yet to be defined, much less described. This view was refreshing, encouraging, and exciting, but disconcerting, too. I had hoped for a prescribed blueprint that I could follow. Instead, I was given an infinite plane upon which to imagine, create, and implement a 21st century school library media center, according to my vision. My preliminary thoughts were based upon professional readings, graduate courses, and conversations with professionals on blogs, wikis, webinars, and podcasts.