Living Learning Libraries: A Definition and Exploration

Living learning libraries represent a dynamic and evolving concept in the realm of education and community engagement. They extend beyond the traditional role of libraries as repositories of books and information, transforming them into interactive spaces that foster collaboration, experiential learning, and community building. This article delves into the definition of living learning libraries, exploring their characteristics, benefits, and examples of their implementation in various settings.

What is a Living Learning Community?

Living learning communities (LLCs) are programs that vary widely across colleges, but the main idea is to have students live together who all share a common interest. That can be anything, ranging from a field of academics, a sport, a hobby, or service work. Students who live together in an LLC work, study, and learn together. As a member of an LLC, you’ll learn about your common field of interest, but you’ll also learn to work closely with your peers. It’s a great way to gain leadership experience at a young age.

Defining the Living Learning Library

The Living Library describes the evolution of one possible future for academic libraries: as laboratories for cross-disciplinary investigation. Living learning libraries are interest-specific residencies where you can live, connect, and socialize with other students who share your passion. These may relate to your major, or might just be in line with your interests.

Key Characteristics

Collaboration: Living learning libraries emphasize collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Experiential Learning: These libraries provide opportunities for hands-on learning through workshops, projects, and community engagement activities.
Community Building: Living learning libraries foster a sense of belonging and create strong bonds between participants.
Interdisciplinarity: They encourage the exploration of knowledge across different disciplines.
Innovation: Living learning libraries are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of their users.

Benefits of Living Learning Libraries

Enhanced Learning: Students in living learning communities often report a high sense of belonging and increased faculty support.
Personal Growth: These communities provide opportunities for leadership development, skill-building, and personal enrichment.
Career Preparation: Living learning libraries can help students gain real-world experience and prepare for their future careers.
Social Connections: LLCs also create strong bonds between their participants. These can be valuable for years to come; you might even find a job through graduates of your LLC.
Increased Graduation Rates: Compared with other students, graduation rates were higher for those living in an LLC.

Examples of Living Learning Libraries

Academic Institutions

University of Maryland: At the University of Maryland, a collaboration among the Libraries, the School of Architecture and the Department of Anthropology led to the participation of students, faculty and staff in an initiative to design a full renovation of the main library building with the guidance of professionals in anthropology and architecture. As part of the process, Anthropology students and library faculty and staff investigated how the broader university community undertakes its work in the library. Architecture students in graduate design studio analyzed the findings along with the building and then created a series of designs to support faculty, student and staff work practices. All of the work was reviewed by a leadership committee from a variety of disciplines.
Agnes Scott College: At Agnes Scott, students interested in leadership development, global learning or STEM fields can apply to living-learning communities. Our living-learning Communities provide a number of academic support, professional development, and personal growth opportunities for residents. Each living-learning community has a student Resident Assistant living in the community. The Associate Director of Residential Education lives on campus and acts as an adviser to the living-learning communities. In addition to collaborating with Resident Assistants, the Associate Director supports, guides and participates in events.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL): UWL offers a variety of living learning communities, including the Education Community, Global Village, Health Professions Community, Legacy and Leadership in WiSTEM Community, Outdoor Recreation Living and Learning Community, Pride Center Community, Transfer Experience Community, and Visual & Performing Arts Living Learning Community.
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB): CSUSB offers several residential learning communities, including Be Well Yotes, Black Residential Scholars, First Year Residential Honors Scholars, Global Residential Scholars, LatinX Residential Scholars, LGBTQIA+ Living Learning Community, Residential Honors Scholars, Transfer Living Learning Community, and Women in Science and Engineering.
Boston College (BC): BC offers the BC F1RST Living Learning Community, Fr. Rutilio Grande, S.J., Intercultural Experience Living Learning Community, Healthy Living Community, Justice & the Common Good Living Learning Community, Kostka Women’s Experience Living Learning Community, Perspectives Living Learning Community, Seacole Scholars, and the Shaw Leadership Program.

Specific Examples of LLCs

FETCH (Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing) LLC at the University of Minnesota at St. Paul: Students can opt into the FETCH-Fostering Education and Training Canines in Housing-LLC and be paired with a roommate and a pup in Bailey Hall. While there’s no major requirement for FETCH LLC, one aim is to help students learn more about the service animal industry.
Nia Black Scholar LLC at OSU: OSU also hosts the Nia Black Scholar LLC for Black and African American students-the word “Nia” comes from one of the seven Nguzo Saba, the Kwanzaa principles of purpose.
The Homestead at SAU: The Homestead is 40-year-old experiment to create a self-reliant agricultural community on the campus space. Each semester, 12 students live in two cabins along with a third, communal space, called “Cabin Bob” after the project’s founder, Robert Bob Alrutz. Faculty and other guests will host weekly Homestead seminar sessions for discussions relevant to the Homestead.
Film and TV LLC: This LLC offers additional amenities, projects, classes and community services geared toward helping its film and TV students enhance their technical skills and networking opportunities.
Discovery Scholars Living-Learning Community: The Discovery Scholars Living-Learning Community is a first-year community created for academics unsure of their major and career goals. DS LLC members complete a first-year seminar with their floor mates.
Disability Pride LLC: The LLC is housed in Dellplain Hall, which is near the Disability Cultural Center, the Center for Disability Resources and the Center on Disability and Inclusion in the School of Education. Students reside on the first floor and have access to a sensory-friendly space. Disability Pride residents enroll in DES 400: Inclusive Design Intelligence for the academic year, examining issues of ableism and accessibility as well as developing solutions to challenges identified by the disability community.
The Studio Learning Community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: The Studio Learning Community is an LLC that provides a place for students to be creative and innovative by collaborating with peers on various artistic projects.
First-Year Focus Program at Washington State University: Washington State University’s First-Year Focus Program connects general education courses and the faculty members teaching them to specific residence halls. Students living in that hall may enroll in one of the designated First-Year Focus sections with their dorm neighbors. You will also get additional support from faculty and residence hall staff working in your LLC.
Health Sciences LLC at the University of South Carolina: The University of South Carolina offers an LLC for students majoring in a health sciences field, allowing them to gain hands-on experience outside the classroom.
LLCs at the University of Washington: The University of Washington maintains several LLCs for students majoring in art, business, and engineering.

Joining a Living Learning Community

To look for living learning communities at your college, try your college’s office of residential life. They should have a list of all the official living learning communities at your school. It’s also worth noting that some campuses may have informal living learning communities. There may be off-campus houses that have been rented by students historically aligned over an interest. These may be harder to find through your college institutions.

Application Process

Some LLCs, however, require you to apply to join to ensure you meet the qualifications of the theme or mission of the community. For instance, the University of Utah has LLCs and theme communities that require a supplemental application. Likewise, the University of Minnesota has limited space in its LLCs. As a result, the school encourages students to apply even before they know whether they’ve been admitted. The criteria of an application depend on the type of living-learning community you’re applying to join.

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Considerations for First-Year Students

Georgetown University, for example, has LLCs specifically for first years. If you are thinking about living at an LLC as a first year, make sure you keep up to date with application deadlines, as some schools have earlier deadlines for first year students than upperclassmen.

Commitment and Flexibility

Most college LLCs are only one year commitments, so if you do participate and realize it’s not the best fit for you, then you don’t have any obligation to recommit. While many LLCs have courses connected to the program, not being in one shouldn’t inhibit you from receiving your degree.

Proposing a New LLC

Many colleges and universities are open to suggestions for new LLC programs. While many aspects go into an LLC that might prevent it from popping up overnight, why not get the ball rolling? It never hurts to take initiative and reach out to your university’s residential office to see!

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