The Library Innovation Toolkit: Ideas, Strategies, and Programs

by Anthony Molaro (Editor), Leah L. White (Editor)

Progress for the sake of progress is all too often a drain on precious time and resources. The communities and users that libraries serve are always changing; true innovation helps libraries adapt to meet their needs and aspirations both now and in the future. This stimulating collection offers numerous snapshots of innovation in action at a range of libraries, showcasing ideas and initiatives that will inspire librarians at their own institutions. Among the topics covered are

- The importance of creating organizational structures that lead to innovation
- Strategies for getting library staff and other stakeholders on board and engaged, complete with a step-by-step toolkit for achieving innovative outcomes
- Ways to expand the library beyond its walls to deliver exceptional and innovative services to library users
- Money-saving initiatives that use technology to improve users experience
- Innovative uses of library spaces, such as designing and implementing a digital media lab
- Examples of creative programming, from running a C2E2-style comic convention, creating an idea forum, to re-envisioning a children s writing club and launching Readtember, a month of literacy programs featuring zombies, dads, and gaming

This valuable sourcebook encourages readers to take big risks, ask deeper questions, strive for better service, and dream bigger ideas.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Library Science, Librarianship

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2015

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Here is what I want to remember:

The library is often a graveyard of abandoned technologies. Innovation is positive change for community needs and aspirations, and a mindset/organizational culture/worldview about offering the best experiences and services for patrons.

Innovation is liminal and disruptive. Be curious and honest. The foundations of innovation are open channels, transparent communication, active listening, and positive storytelling.

Collaborate with colleagues, find your vision, keep the big picture in mind. Collaborate, maintain calm and patience, accept realities, and challenges with openness. Be responsive and flexible.

You'll need a structured plan or process to focus and track local and global trends. You need Innovation Champions to translate ideas into viable projects and services. Have monthly meetings online or in person. Staff can be encouraged to submit ideas and selected ideas equals additional vacation time. Staff buy-in is the biggest hurdle.

I added most of the trend websites on p. 22 to my Feedly feed.
Maker tech: eggbot
Trendwatching.com: 15 Trend Tips

Do: create a space to track trends and ideas, try stuff out, monitor trends regularly, look cross-industry

Don't: be overwhelmed, short-sighted, or dismiss fads

Innovation takes determination, dedication, and cooperation. Technology training needs to be dynamic, shifting, and fearless: constantly evaluating and revising. Assess staff needs and abilities and engage them in training (use prizes and games).

Book to read: The Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley

Innovation bootcamp: ask why do we do things the way we do? And how can we improve user experience(UX)? Recommends Wordpress as blog platform.

For library schools: teaching training and media training

Makerspaces are about information literacy, critical thinking, and visual literacy (i.e. effectively finding, interpreting, evaluating, using, and creating visual media and images). Staff playtime is needed.

[Anthony Molaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm one of the co-editors but I think its a great book.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Library Innovation Toolkit was a rather quick read. Each chapter contains a story of a library that tried something new and (what for it) innovative. How about a book group on a commuter ferry? Why not? Let's give it a try!

Would I rec it to a non-library worker? No, but to an emerging librarian it would be a nice read to see the potential what a library can do in scope.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read, but definitely dated. I read it in the hopes of getting tips for encouraging staff innovation, but mostly ended up just enjoying the creative case studies.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gave me some neat ideas to think on.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

First up, I really wanted to like this book. I know that the three star rating does not show that I liked it a lot, but it as okay (and I seem to read a lot of books with a three star rating). It is a solid book, with some chapters deserving a 5 star rating (the work by Parkes Library is amongst these), but other chapters were not as strong. It has some good ideas and some useful library examples, and there ideas which can be used from each chapter. Maybe the timing of me reading it was wrong. There were ideas people could use in their libraries, not as many as I was expecting.

My three star rating may also be about the interpretation of the word innovation, but that is a tough idea to correctly position (for example, playing catch up is rarely innovation).

[Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of mostly useful articles organized by categories such as innovative programs, innovative staff, innovative outreach, etc. Containing a mix of public and academic, adult and youth oriented examples, there are studies of innovative ideas such as a library-sponsored trivia night at the local pub, an automated reservation system for study carrels, and a writing and illustrating course for introducing elementary grade students to the world of publishing. More generally applicable are several of the articles which describe the process of innovation, including how to cultivate it, how to nurture ideas and how to integrate innovations in libraries. Could be just the toolkit for a library seeking to enhance its approach to the care and feeding of ideas.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of case studies of innovations or ideas that public or academic libraries implemented, with reactions to how the experience went. I didn't find it particularly useful to have public and academic libraries together, as the audiences and missions are so different, but some of the ideas could have been adapted. I would have liked more attention given to developing an innovative culture, encouraging more risk-averse staff, etc.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this was a collection of essays but I felt that the book lacked a clear focus. There was little in the way of real strategies and the ideas and programs weren't organized in a clear way. Ideas for academic libraries were put in the same part as ideas for public libraries. Yes, ideas for one type of library can sometimes be put into place at the other type but often they cannot. I found some useful program ideas and some chapters were ok but better editing would have helped this book.

[Brittany Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exciting time to be a part of the library! Whoever said libraries are obsolete and out of date need to read this book. There are some stellar innovative programs happening across the globe, and this book scratches the surface by compiling short experts from a variety of locations and programs.

[Larissa Distler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of ideas for librarians.

It is divided into sections about outreach, programming, etc which made it pretty easy to navigate as not everything in it will be useful to every librarian.

[Camille Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have reviewed this for the Journal of Library Innovation, which is open access. It's currently under review and will be in the fall 2015 issue.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

reviewing for Information Today

[Rachel Sides · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to be inspired by this book. I found myself going hmm, but I wanted to go wow. Probably not the books fault.