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Learning Commons

What is a Learning Commons?

What is a Library Learning Commons?  The concept of the library as a learning commons focuses on flexible, collaborative, and future-oriented practice in a place where everyone is a learner.   “A learning commons is a whole school approach to building a participatory learning community. The library learning commons is the school's physical and virtual collaborative learning hub. It is designed to engineer and drive future-oriented learning and teaching throughout the school. Inquiry, project/problem-based learning experiences are designed as catalysts for intellectual engagement with information, ideas, thinking, and dialogue. Reading thrives, learning literacies and technology competencies evolve, and critical thinking, creativity, innovation and playing to learn are nourished. Everyone is a learner and a teacher working collaboratively toward excellence.”  Canadian Library Association, 2024

Mission

The mission of HCOS Learning Commons is to provide Christian community, Discipleship, Innovation and Literacy to all our patrons and staff.  As the staff purchases digital and non-digital resources, they try to discern what meets the needs of all the HCS schools from a Christian and a curriculum perspective.  They aim to provide accessible information retrieval and quality resources for all the school's educational needs.  If a patron would like to request something at any time, they may contact Pippa, Cynthia or Shandra for their curriculum or media needs.  

Families living in Kelowna can drop in and check out the resources.  If they live out of town, resources are shipped to their home by courier. It is an honour to serve our families!  Feel free to reach out to chat with us!

Staff

Our Learning Commons team comprises Pippa Davies, Cynthia Duncalfe, Shandra Wiebe, Margaret Basaraba, Kelly Wiebe, Justine Dehod, Raine Oddy,  Rachael Rennie and Erin Duncan. 

Virtual Commons

Pippa Davies, Cynthia Duncalfe, Margaret Basaraba, Rachael Rennie and Erin Duncan serve in the Virtual Commons.

  • Mon        08:00 AM   -  4:00 PM
  • Tue         08:00 AM   -  4.00 PM 
  • Wed        08:00 AM   -  4:00 PM 
  • Thu         08:00 AM   -  4:00 PM 
  • Fri           08:00 AM   -  4:00 PM 
  • Sat  Closed     
  • Sun  Closed  

Our Learning Commons Director, Pippa Davies, provides library/inquiry training for students, staff, and parents. She may be contacted for queries relating to the eBook Virtual Library on SORA, purchasing materials for OverDrive or the Search Portal, newsletters, website queries, and any concerns regarding the materials in the Learning Commons.

Pippa is available from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Ph. 604.9080826  To sign up for a collaborative teaching time with her, email her at Pippa Davies or call her on Zoom.  

Our curriculum consultant, Cynthia Duncalfe, consults with home-educating parents and HCOS teachers regarding various curriculum resources. She is involved in curriculum correlating, the development of the HCOS Unit Study Kits, website development, OverDrive Virtual Library digital resource lists and theme pages, blogging, monthly Learning Commons newsletters, and various training webinars.

 Cynthia is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 am - 4:00 pm.  Email Cynthia Duncalfe.

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Our subscriptions facilitator, Margaret Basaraba, is responsible for our subscription accounts and helps maintain the information on our website. For questions about how subscriptions work, accessing the Search Portal or general questions, please phone or email her; she’ll gladly assist you.

Margaret works Monday through Thursday. 8:00 to 4:00 and can be contacted at (250) 402-8476 or by email at margaret.basaraba@onlineschool.ca

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Our Unit Study Developer, Rachael Rennie,  creates unit study kits for families at home. That means she spends her day reading great books, looking through terrific resources, and finding exciting learning activities for families to do together!

Rachael works three days a week teaching homeschoolers, writing kits and researching curriculum.  She can be contacted by email at Rachael Rennie.

Our Assistant Librarian, Erin Duncan, oversees our student contests, advises students of upcoming events, answers Live Chat and enjoys archiving material in our weblinking library.

Erin works Monday to Friday, 7 am - 3 pm.  She can be contacted by email at Erin Duncan

Physical Commons

Shandra Wiebe, Kelly Wiebe,  Raine Oddy and Justine Dehod (Flex).

Mon  8:00 AM   -   4:00 PM
Tue   8:00 AM   -  4:00 PM
Wed  8:00 AM   -  4:00 PM
Thu   8:00 AM   -  4:00 PM
Fri     8:00 AM   -   4:00 PM

HCOS/Flex campus library is available Tuesday-Thursday 8-4 pm

Our Library Resource Administrator, Shandra Wiebe, manages our Search Portal, library resources, online family accounts, and library education. She is involved in creating webinars and blogging. If you have a question about accessing your online library account or need information about the resources available, don't hesitate to contact Shandra.

Shandra is available Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. at Ph. 250.862.2377 ext. 311 or by email Shandra Wiebe.

Our Physical Learning Commons Assistant, Librarian Raine Oddy, works in shipping, library circulation, and cataloging and manages the used curriculum website.  

Raine is available Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 to 4:00 and Thursday from 8:00 to 4:00. Ph. 250.862.2377 ext. 312 or email Raine Oddy

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Our Shipping Specialist, Kelly Wiebe, is responsible for Loomis and Canada Post queries, shipping and receiving materials to and from our online families all over BC. Kelly also assists with reserves and renewals of materials.

Kelly is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Ph. 778-721-8309 or email Kelly Wiebe

Flex Campus Librarian

Justine Dehod is our Flex/HCOS campus librarian and is available Tuesday through Thursday to support students in library education and book circulation. Don't hesitate to get in touch with her at justine.dehod@flex.academy

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How do I Join the Learning Commons?

To borrow materials or access any Learning Commons search portal subscriptions, you will use your ENCOM username and address to sign into the landing page. Please contact Shandra Wiebe if you are unsure of the process, or contact us on our Live Chat.