Library Innovation Game

LIBRARIES
MUST
INNOVATE
OR ................

WE WERE
ASKED
ABOUT THE
FUTURE OF
LIBRARIES

WE REALLY NEED TO
QUESTION THE ROLE
OF LIBRARIES

FOUR MAIN USER TYPES
<REGULAR > <OCCASIONAL> <DISCONTINUE> <NEVER>

OBSERVATION
WORK IS KEY TO
UNDERSTANDING
USERS

WE
CREATED
FUTURE
SCENARIOS

INTERVIEWING LIBRARY
STAFF;

RISK AVERSE
LIMITED VIEWS

THE WORD LIBRARY IS
RESTRICTIVE

SOCIAL INTRAPRENEURS

“THE IDEA OF TRUDGING “REDEFINING
TO THE LIBRARY OR OF THE
PULLING OUT AN LIBRARY
ENCYCLOPEDIA THESE FUNCTION”
DAYS IS COMEDIC”
- DAVID GIROVARD, GOOGLE - BILL CROWLY

“LIBRARIES ARE NOT ABOUT HOUSING BOOKS. LIBRARIES
ARE ONE OF THE VEHICLES FOR LOCAL COUNCILS TO DELIVER
COMMUNITY COHESION, SOCIAL INCLUSION, COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT AND EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY.”

LIBRARIES = MYGOV?

Political
Economic
Social
Technology

“TO DEVELOP LIBRARY SERVICES
NECESSARY TO HELP SOLVE CRITICAL
SOCIAL PROBLEMS WE MUST ADDRESS
READING AND LEARNING, INCLUDING
ELECTRONIC LEARNING.”
- BILL CROWLEY

TECHNOLOGY
CAN DRIVE
SOCIAL
INNOVATION

“She told me that if she’s ever stuck
for an idea on how to run libraries,
she visits Tesco.”
- on Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister

A facilitators toolkit to
codesign ideas for the
future of libraries with
people who run the
service, specialists
and the general public

Mindset Card

Innovation Card

Fi
lte
rL
an
e
Filter Lane

Challenge Card

Business Card

Finish

MINDSET CARD S MINDSET CARD S

COULD YOUR IDEA TESCO IS MOVING
BE RUN BY A INTO THE LIBRARY
COMMUNITY? WORLD

COULD HOW COULD YOU
VOLUNTEERS RUN COLLABORATE
IT? WITH THEM?

www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com

MINDSET CARD S MINDSET CARD S

WHAT IF THE WHAT IF THE
LIBRARY WAS LIBRARY WASN’T
PAPERLESS AND ABOUT THE
BECAME FOCUSED PHYSCIAL HUB
ON DIGITAL? ANYMORE?

MINDSET CARD S

YOU’RE NOT ON
YOUR OWN
ANYMORE.

WHO COULD YOU
FORM
PARTNERSHIPS
WITH?

www.ourfuturelibrary.com

MINDSET CARD S

WHAT IF LIBRARIES
OFFERED
ADDITIONAL
SERVICES?

WHAT COULD YOU
OFFER?

CHARACTER CARD
regular user occasional user n o n u s e r
CHARACTER CARD
CHARACTER CARD

“ I just don’t see whycan buyto
I need
“ Loads of us always come
“ I’ve never wouldthe library in
used
use the library now, I after school, it’s somewhere for my life, why I?
”
the books I want
”
CLAIRE, 26, IT CONSULTANT
us to hang out and work
LAUREN, 16, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ” GARY, 65, RETIRED

BACKGROUND:
BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: Gary is a retired joiner and has never been to the
Claire used the library when she was in university library in his life. He isn’t interested in books and
Lauren uses the library on occasion before a report
as a resource for reading material. She used to go prefers to spend his free time with his grandchildren
is due or during exams. She hangs out with her
with classmates and study daily before exams in a or at the pub watching a football game with a pint.
friends at the library after school, socialising with
quiet area of the library as she felt this was an other students from the same school. They like to
environment she could focus in, having wifi and As a recently retired man he does find life a bit
go there not just for ‘studying’ but because it is a
books at her finger tips. boring and would like to find something interesting
way of socialising after school in a more relaxed
to occupy himself with but finds it hard to be
environment.
Claire no longer uses the library as she is focused motivated and get out of his rut.
on her career and leads a busy social life. She The library is also in town, close to shops so they
sees no reason in going to the library when books can venture out when they feel like it. They will
are now available in many formats at a low cost. mainly go to the library after school and leave or get
Hours

Hours

Hours
picked up by their parents before dinner.

www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u

CHARACTER CARD
CHARACTER CARD
CHARACTER CARD

“It’s handy for using the “ It’s importantvalue of the
my students
“Travel books are so my trip in
internet and having a drink
” understand the expensive, I can plan

SHEENA, 56, TEACHER ” ”
ANDY, 23, STORE MANAGER library and learning the library
MARY, 60, NURSE
BACKGROUND:
Andy used the library in University not solely for
BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND:
studying but to play online games with his friends.
Sheena is very interested in learning new things Mary doesn’t use the library often but she goes
He still uses it for the internet on occasion, on his
and her profession promotes this, requiring that she when she has an event coming up. She and her
way home from work during the week.
is responsible of passing knowledge on to younger husband are celebrating their 30th wedding
people. anniversary by going on a trip to South America and
The library is central, in-between home and work
as she is quite adventurous she doesn’t want to join
and the internet is free to use. There are quiet
She would rather attend the library than look things a group and sort things out herself.
rooms but he prefers to sit in the cafe where he can
up online or buy books from chain bookstores as
also enjoy a drink. He finds the environment there a
she has been going to the library since she was As her shifts are varied when she has the morning
little more social and suitable for meeting up with
young and it’s now a matter of familiarity and off she will go to the library and relax while doing
his friends as they can have a drink while playing
attachment to her. She goes twice a week, once some research, flicking through travel books.
World of Warcraft.
mid-week in the evening to wind down and once
Hours

Hours

Hours
over the weekend when she can also catch up with
friends.

www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u www.ourfuturelibrary.com M T W T h F S S u

CHARACTER CARD
CHARACTER CARD
CHARACTER CARD

“ The building centre and I can
it is in the city
is hand because
“It’s in theto find free wifithe a
plug
hard
city centre, at
and
“ It’s great I can take my kid
somewhere he can learn
grab a coffee
” library I can
” something and I can get some
ANNA, 20, BIOLOGY STUDENT DAVE,40, BUSINESS MAN peace
”
BARRY, 35, RESEARCHER
BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND:
Anna uses her University library for studying but
BACKGROUND:
when she wants to get away from her messy Dave is a manager in an architectural firm and he is
Barry has a child of five named Tom and spends a
student flat and relax she goes to the main library in based in the centre of town. Places to have lunch
lot of time with him over the weekend. He thought it
town. and relax are limited so, often on his lunch break,
would be a good idea to do this while also
he will go to the library where he can meet his
encouraging Tom to do things that would benefit
She thinks the building is beautiful and also girlfriend for a coffee.
him and he would have fun doing, so he takes him
convenient as she can go on her way home after a
to reading hour every Saturday.
day of shopping or hanging out with her friends. Alternatively sometimes he hooks his laptop up and
She will take a seat on a comfy couch and read her does some work while at the same time he’s
While Tom is doing that, Barry takes the opportunity
book with a hot chocolate. managing to escape his busy work environment.
to sit and read a newspaper with a cup of coffee.
Hours

Hours

Hours

INNOVATION CARD
software service hardware concept
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNO
software

HOW MIGHT THIS TOOL BRING THE WHAT ELEMENTS OF THIS SERVICE COULD THIS CONCEPT BE ADAPTED COULD WIDGETS BE USED TO COULD T
LIBRARY INTO THE FUTURE? CAN WE ADAPT TO THE LIBRARY? TO LIBRARIES? ENHANCE THE LIBRARY SERVICE? NEW IDEA
IN USE: F
IN USE: Twitter IN USE: Blurb IN USE: Tagging IN USE: Widget
WHAT IS
WHAT IS IT?: A micro- blogging tool where WHAT IS IT?: Blurb is an online service which WHAT IS IT?: A tag is a non-hierarchical WHAT IS IT?: Widgets often take the form of managemen
people can write small statements about what allows people to create their own books. Users can keyword or term assigned to a piece of information on-screen tools (clocks, event countdowns, users to uplo
they’re doing or reading. They can add images to download software to easily layout text and photos, (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or auction-tickers... For example, a "Weather Report They can be
this, short videos, website urls, catagorise upload their final book and send off to be published. computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe Widget" could report today's weather by accessing and other us
statements or events into topics and see what’s They receive it within 7 days and can order as an item and allows it to be found again by browsing data from the Weather Channel, it could even be photographs
being talked about the most. many as the like. or searching. Tags are generally chosen informally sponsored by the Weather Channel. Should you which makes
and personally by the item's creator or by its viewer, want to put that widget on your own Facebook looking for.
premium mo
QUALITIES: QUALITIES: depending on the system. Online users have profile, you could do this by copying and pasting the
photographs
* Instant * Self publishing proven to be great organisers of large quantities of embed code into your profile on Facebook.
* Connect to others * Production in the customers hands data.
* Linking data * Physical outcome of book QUALITIES: QUALITIE
* User tagged data * Empower users to create material QUALITIES: * Adaptable to most platforms
* Visual port
* Follow people * Professional finish * Organise data * Conversati
* Mostly free
* Available on phones * Minimum knowledge required * No cost to users tagging material * Everyone c
* Can stream information to other platforms
* Aim messages at people * Low cost * Easy to find material * Users can
* Can link to main platform
* Categories and patterns naturally form * Can be customised to provide different info
www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com

INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNO
software

CAN THIS CONCEPT BE APPLIED TO COULD WE USE THIS TYPE OF COULD BLOGGING BRING VALUE TO COULD WE USE THIS HARDWARE IN COULD V
LIBRARY SERVICES? HARDWARE IN LIBRARIES? THE LIBRARY? LIBRARIES? WITHIN W

IN USE: Geolocation (Google maps) IN USE: E-readers IN USE: Blogging (Wordpress) IN USE: Touchscreens IN USE: V

WHAT IS IT?: Geolocation is the identification WHAT IS IT?: E-readers are electronic devices, WHAT IS IT?: A blog is a type of free website, WHAT IS IT?: A touchscreen is an electronic WHAT IS
of the real-world location of an Internet-connected designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital usually maintained by an individual with regular visual display that can detect the presence and of creative p
computer, mobile device or website visitor. books magazines and periodicals. entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or location of a touch within the display area. The term sharing the v
Geolocation is a smart way to tag data or other material such as graphics or video. Entries generally refers to touching the display of the to upload vid
information. You can manually add co-odinates of a QUALITIES: are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens aren’t world. Video
location or if on a smart phone a location will * Lightweight order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning new, they’ve been around for a while but they are users can co
automatically attach it to the photo/video/message. * Can store over 1500 books to maintain or add content to a blog. Users can add getting more smart and intuitive. They now
* Connect wirelessly to the internet to download a blog from any computer they like, annotate it with understand gestures and movements to move QUALITIE
QUALITIES: * Multiple formats: books, magazines, blogs notes and insert powerpoints, pictures and movies. objects on screen like a mouse can. * Free
* Allows information to belong to a location * Can read text outloud * Inspires co
* Can automatically find out where you are * Over 500,000 books available online to buy QUALITIES: QUALITIES: * Visual port
* Allows data to be visualised onto maps * Over 1.8 million free books available * Collection of personal writing * Accesable to people who aren’t IT literate * Accesable
* Blog from anywhere * Can be used for msny different applications
* Have multiple writers * Can be ‘boxed’ in lots of different ways
* Choose themes and layouts * Connect to the internet
* Function as a webpage

INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNO
software

COULD THIS SERVICE BE WHAT ELEMENTS OF THIS SERVICE COULD THIS SERVICE BE CAN SPOTIFY’S MODEL BE USED COULD
INEGRATED INTO THE LIBRARY? CAN WE ADAPT TO THE LIBRARY? INEGRATED INTO THE LIBRARY? WITHIN LIBRARIES? ENHANC

IN USE: Newspaper club IN USE: Amazon IN USE: Ning IN USE: Spotify IN USE:

WHAT IS IT?: The service provides people with WHAT IS IT?: It is America's largest online WHAT IS IT?: Ning is an online platform for WHAT IS IT?: Spotify is a digital music service WHAT IS
digital software to simple newspapers. You can retailer and used throughout the world. It allows people to create their own social networks. It is low that gives you access to millions of songs. Users when they
also send them your own layout and they will print customers to see what others bought. It also cost and easy to customise to the way you want it, can download the software to their desktop and desktop, ow
in batches for you and deliver to your door. provides peer reviews on products and a rating changing the style, functions and security measures listen free to any music they like by searching for an networks, t
system. Products can be delivered in less than 2 on it. artist or album. Premium users who pay don’t have local syste
QUALITIES: days to your door to listen to albums and can use the service offline if can be ma
* Easy to use QUALITIES: they’ve saved playlists. They also receive better being PDF
* No experience nessecary QUALITIES: * Forums for conversation quality files and can use it on their smart phone.
* Production done for you * ‘Shows you what other people bought relative to * Members can create profiles QUALIT
* Small to large scale printing the item you’re looking at * Integrate other data streams (twitter) QUALITIES: * Users can
* Inexpensive especially on large scale * Website shows top searches in your country * Upload photos and videos * Great premium model to make profits * Easy to m
* Delivered to your door * Open to selling used products * Customisable layout and graphics * Available on different devices
* Professional look * User genereated rating system * Create groups * Make playlists available offline
* Quick delivery * See recent activity * Links music togther by genre/similarities
* Add 3rd party games in


INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNOVATION CARD
INNO
software

COULD THIS BE INTEGRATED INTO CAN THIS SOFTWARE/SERVICE BE COULD WE USE FACEBOOK AS A COULD WE USE THIS HARDWARE IN COULD
LIBRARIES? USED WITHIN LIBRARIES? VALUABLE TOOL? LIBRARIES? 4SQUAR

IN USE: Delicious IN USE: Second Life IN USE: Facebook IN USE: Ipad IN USE:

WHAT IS IT?: It’s a social bookmarking web WHAT IS IT?: Second Life is a free 3D virtual WHAT IS IT?: The world’s largest social WHAT IS IT?: The Ipad is a new product from WHAT IS
service for storing, sharing, and discovering web world where users can socialize, connect and networking site. Facebook allows members to have Apple. It is a lightweight, portable touchscreen gives you &
bookmarks. Users can download an application to create using free voice and text chat. The world profiles where they can upload photos, add friends device that allows you to watch films, listen to music city. Earn p
their browser or manually use the site to input allows you to move around, talk, and interact with and their status. and read books on it. It’s like a miniature computer, new things
website addresses that describe the content. In others around you. connects to wireless and you can browse the web software on
addition everyone can see a user’s links searching QUALITIES: on it. Applications can be downloaded from the 4square th
by person or by word. QUALITIES: * Peronsal profiles detailing interests apple store which have a variety of different various soc
* Connect with people round the world * Add photos and videos functions. in, the high
QUALITIES: * Create virtual buildings to house information * ‘Tag’ friends in photos and videos at the top o
* Users tag material for you * Sell and make money in the world * Write on a user’s wall QUALITIES: cafe/shop t
* Social - it’s a tool that grows with use * Multifunctional: can be used for virtual * Use virul games and applications * Lightweight and portable
* Access your links on any computer conferences, lectures, operating virtual business * Update a status * Thousands of applications can be downloaded QUALIT
* Bookmarks organise themselves * Choose reading lists and music playlists and * Accomodates all kinds of multimedia * Competit
* See most popular sites on the web share with friends * Connects wirelessly to the internet * Maps use
* Virally se
encourage

REALITY? CONSIDER:
* Imagine being stuck in an elevator with Richard
Branson, how would you pitch it to him?
CONSIDER: * Think about using an existing service that is
* In your area who could make this happen? similar to your idea to help explain your idea

AR
* Who would be willing to make this a reality?
* Who outside of the library world would be

O
interested?

S SB
www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com

BUSINESS CAR D BUSINESS CAR S, H TO
ION WIT
SI NE
D
BU
AT R
NIS TNE
GA R
OR N PA
CAN THIS SERVICE HOW WOULD YOU RE ANY U CAITY?
E YO L
BE DELIVERED TH IES REA
MARKET THIS ARE AN A
MP HIS
WITHOUT USING SERVICE? CO KE T
MA
THE LIBRARY
CONSIDER:
BUDGET? * How do you reach out to people?
* What channels could you use?
* How could you reach the most people for
CONSIDER: minimum cost?
* In your area who could make this happen?
ER
* Who would be willing to make this a reality? AP
SP
EW
* Who outside of the library world would be

E N RS?
interested?
H
DT EA
* Are there any pockets of money that could be

UL 15 Y
accessed?
O N
T W EA I
A ID
WH UR
www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com YO

BUSINESS CAR D BUSINESS CAR D

WHAT WOULD THE IS THERE A WAY OF
NEWSPAPERS SAY GENERATING VIC
S ER R
ABOUT YOUR IDEA INCOME WITH THIS HIS E LIB
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CONSIDER:
DE
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* Is there a way you can get round big start up
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costs?
P ITC Oelse? R f pe _____
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* Can new equipment come from anywhere
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CHALLENGE CARD
political social environmental economic
CHALLENGE CARD
CHALLENGE CARD

HOW DOES THIS SITUATION CHANGE HOW DOES THIS SITUATION CHANGE HOW DOES THIS SITUATION CHANGE
YOUR IDEA? YOUR IDEA? YOUR IDEA?

CHALLENGE: The government have changed CHALLENGE: Drop in literacy rates CHALLENGE: Earth on it’s last legs

WHAT HAPPENED?: A new goverment has WHAT HAPPENED?: A recent survey in the WHAT HAPPENED?: Due to the rapid
just come into power who believe public services area showed literacy rates were at an all time low. effects modern living has on the environment
should be running work experience placements for The local authorities have stepped in and demand electricity has been rationalised.Back to basics- -
s
16-25 year olds once a week. They are going to the library create new or improve existing services People are living like in the early 90's.
make civil service mandatory for youths and will be for people in the area to help improve literacy rates
expecting libraries to meet the above target
CONSIDER:
CONSIDER: * How could this obstruct your idea
CONSIDER: * How could this obstruct your idea * How could this have a positive effect on your idea
* How could this obstruct your idea * How could this have a positive effect on your idea * What opportunities could come out of this?
* How could this have a positive effect on your idea * What opportunities could come out of this?
* What opportunities could come out of this?

www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com

CHALLENGE CARD
CHALLENGE CARD
CHALLENGE CARD


CHALLENGE: Make it green CHALLENGE: Make it ‘cool’ CHALLENGE: Change in finances

WHAT HAPPENED?: It is required that all WHAT HAPPENED?: Teens do not view your WHAT HAPPENED?: All public funding to
services become green and give back to the service as socially acceptable. They are not willing your service has been cut.
community. You must show three different ways to be seen using your service, but it would be very
your idea is helping out the green movement. beneficial to them. CONSIDER:
* How could this obstruct your idea
CONSIDER: CONSIDER: *How will you create income?
* How could this obstruct your idea * How could this obstruct your idea * How could this have a positive effect on your idea
* How could this have a positive effect on your idea * How could this have a positive effect on your idea * What do you havr to offer?
* What opportunities could come out of this? * What opportunities could come out of this?

www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com www.ourfuturelibrary.com

CHALLENGE CARD
CHALLENGE CARD
CHALLENGE CARD


CHALLENGE: Digital Bill pushed forward CHALLENGE: Reach out to your customers CHALLENGE: New envinromental agenda from
government
WHAT HAPPENED?: Libraries have to WHAT HAPPENED?: Public transport has
comply with the digital age and incorporate stopped operating, a large number of your WHAT HAPPENED?: All public services are
technology before they become obsolete. The bill customers relied on this mode of transportation. having to deliver reports on measures they are
states librarires must become centres of Your numbers are suffering, how will you cover taking to help tackle environmental issues
technological excellence come this?

codesign:
designing with people not for people
Librarian
Local Decision Maker
Councellour

Social Techie
Services

Designer/ Business Brain
Facilitator

Public

“THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE
FLIP CHART MEETINGS WE GET”
- LIBRARIAN, GAME PARTICIPANT

“LETS START A REVOLUTION”
- LIBRARIAN, GAME PARTICIPANT

ARE YOU
READY FOR A
REVOLUTION?

Library Innovation Game

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