Innovation in Public Libraries: Learning from International Library Practice

Innovation in Public Libraries

Learning from international library practice

First Edition

Kirstie Nicholson

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

Author biography

Introduction

Abstract

Outline

Innovation

Methodology

International scope

Context

1: Overview of recent innovation

Abstract

1.1 Collections

1.2 Customer services

1.3 Technology

1.4 Programmes

1.5 Library buildings

2: Innovative libraries

Abstract

2.1 Edmonton Public Library, Canada

2.2 National Library Board, Singapore

2.3 Stuttgart City Library, Germany

2.4 Aarhus Public Library, Denmark

2.5 Chicago Public Library, United States

3: Trends in international innovation

Abstract

3.1 Making and creating

3.2 Participation

3.3 Partnerships

3.4 Learning

3.5 New outreach

4: Objectives and actions

Abstract

4.1 Common strategic directions

4.2 Objectives

4.3 Actions

Conclusion

Appendix

Index

Copyright

Chandos Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier

50 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States

The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, OX5 1GB, United Kingdom

Copyright © 2017 Kirstie Nicholson. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Details on how to seek permission, further information about the Publisher's permissions policies and our arrangements with organizations such as the Copyright Clearance Center and the Copyright Licensing Agency, can be found at our website: www.elsevier.com/permissions.

This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-0-08-101276-5 (print)

ISBN: 978-0-08-101296-3 (online)

For information on all Chandos publications visit our website at https://www.elsevier.com/books-and-journals

Publisher: Glyn Jones

Acquisition Editor: George Knott

Editorial Project Manager: Charlotte Rowley

Production Project Manager: Poulouse Joseph

Cover Designer: Matthew Limbert

Typeset by SPi Global, India

Author biography

Kirstie Nicholson is Resources Librarian at the City of Armadale Library Service in Perth, Western Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Ancient History with Honours and a Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies. In 2012, she was the recipient of the inaugural Kay Poustie OAM Travel Scholarship, awarded by the State Library of Western Australia Foundation. As part of the Scholarship, she examined and reported on the activities of innovative library services in the United Kingdom and Europe, visiting libraries in Amsterdam, Delft, Copenhagen, Malmö, London, Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool. The results of her research were presented at the 2014 Public Libraries Western Australia Conference and an article based on the findings of the Scholarship was published in the Australian Library Journal in 2015. In 2016, she presented at the Public Libraries Western Australia Innovation Showcase on the design and layout of Kelmscott Public Library. She is Chair of the Online Resources Working Group, which administers the Statewide eResources Collection for Western Australian public libraries.

Introduction

Abstract

Public libraries have continued to evolve and adapt their services in order to thrive in a world of constant change. Innovation is seen as a positive and a critical force in the success of organisations, and public libraries are no exception. Public libraries have embraced innovation, seeing an opportunity to redefine their role and relevance. Motivated by the desire to better serve and meet the needs of communities, libraries engage in a continuous cycle of experimentation, testing new ideas and developing new services in order to establish dynamic, responsive and modern public library services. This introduction provides an outline of the chapters of this book, describes the research methodology used and explains the international scope of the work. Additionally, some context is briefly provided, describing economic and social trends which serve as a backdrop to the activities of public libraries.

Keywords

Public libraries; Innovation; International

Public libraries have a bright future. In a world of constant change and challenge, public libraries have adapted, evolving and redefining their services, collections and role. The tide of new technologies, demands and expectations has been met by public libraries and their staff with enthusiasm. Possessing a strong desire for knowledge, public libraries have engaged in a continuous cycle of experimentation, motivated to improve library services and to better serve and meet the needs of their communities with dynamic, responsive and modern public library services. Libraries have always been keen testers of new processes, service delivery methods and technology. As a place that provides access to knowledge, libraries play a part in the introduction and circulation of new ideas to their communities. Building on this role, libraries now consider access to new digital technologies and the provision of experimental and creative space to be core strategic priorities. Public libraries, it seems, are the ideal place to explore the new, and the different. It is this willingness and enthusiasm to invent, experiment and innovate that ensures that public libraries will continue to be relevant and valued community institutions far into the future.

This book will discuss recent examples of public library innovation, highlighting specific programmes and services that are new, different and interesting. This will promote awareness of the work libraries¹ are doing to develop their services, as well as of their strategic goals, service objectives and successful experiences. As well as examining specific projects and initiatives, this book will identify library services whose innovation makes them industry leaders and examples of what public libraries can achieve. The activities of these library services will be examined as a whole, to provide insight into strategic and operational priorities, provide inspiration to practitioners, and as models of successful modern public library services. Through the examination of public library innovation, this book aims to identify trends that are influencing the direction of public library services, bringing challenges and opportunities to the way libraries operate, their role and objectives. This book also aims to present the library practitioner with practical service goals based on the experiences of the innovative library services discussed. In this way, it hopes to assist libraries that wish to implement small and achievable changes to their services.

This books aims to present an international overview of innovative public library practices by examining activities from differing countries. This book presents a snapshot of current innovation in public libraries across the world in a way that can inform and guide public libraries that wish to instigate change in their services based on the actual experiences and proven successes of their peers. This book is therefore aimed primarily at practitioners, at library professionals and paraprofessional staff that may use the information presented to implement change or adapt existing library services. By providing insight into current public library trends and on what constitutes an innovative and modern public library service, it is also of interest to managers, administrators and representatives of funding bodies. Additionally, students of library and information science may find the insight into the practices of public libraries across the world of interest and use, as may anyone with an interest in modern public library services. The scope of the book is broad; however it is not intended to go into detail on every topic presented. Rather, this book can be used as a gateway to the many interesting recent developments in library service provision.

Outline

Chapter 1 will present an overview of recent public library innovation in a variety of programmes and initiatives. These have been grouped into five broad categories, based around the major service activities of libraries: collections, customer services, technology, programmes and library buildings. In Chapter 2, five public library services are identified that are exceptional in their commitment to innovation and the continuous development and implementation of advanced library service initiatives. The recent activities of Edmonton Public Library, the National Library Board of Singapore, Stuttgart City Library, Aarhus Public Library and Chicago Public Library are examined in greater detail in order to determine the reasons behind their success, how their strategic objectives inform their activities, and their implementation of initiatives to address community needs. This chapter presents an insight into the operation of these libraries and highlights them as examples of best practice in public library service provision. Chapter 3 will identify five trends derived from the overview of public library innovation in Chapter 1, and the examination of the activities of innovative library services in Chapter 2. The trends of making and creating, participation, partnerships, learning and new outreach will be discussed, with their origins, background and influence on current library models examined. These trends, already in evidence in the activities of public library services, will continue to influence and underpin public library services into the future, and will serve as the basis for a model for the libraries of tomorrow. Chapter 4 outlines the ways in which libraries can learn from and utilise the experiences of innovative public libraries around the world in informing and improving their own library services. The major strategic directions that underpin progressive library services' strategic plans are identified as digital literacy, the digital library, supporting learning and creativity, fostering literacy and a culture of reading, and community centred. Objectives in line with these identified strategic directions are suggested as ways libraries can align themselves with industry examples of best practice. This is followed by a list of actions that support the objectives, providing practical, achievable steps that any library, whatever its size or resourcing situation, can work towards. The content in this, final chapter, is intended to serve as helpful, relevant and realistic assistance for libraries that wish to obtain clear guidance in the prioritisation of future service provision, based on actual successes and experiences of libraries, rather than on theoretical frameworks.

Innovation

What is innovation and why is it important? To innovate is defined as to bring in new methods, ideas, etc. and to make changes (Moore, 2004, p. 721). Innovation is the process of generating and implementing these new ideas and changes, as well as the application of existing methods, resources and technology in new and different ways. Innovation is viewed as both a positive and a critical force in the success of organisations, particularly in business, innovation matters – now more than ever (Crainer & Dearlove, 2014, p. 1). Businesses that have the ability to innovate and foster a culture of innovation have an advantage over their competitors, the rewards of successful innovation can be exponential and at the same time, businesses that fail to innovate risk being rendered obsolete (Simms, 2015, p. 37). Similarly, our ability to adapt and innovate delivers both progress and prosperity (McCormick, 2012, p. 64). However, it is important to acknowledge that innovation is essentially a process that tests and trials. Therefore, there will be set-backs and failures. The most important point about winning the innovation game is that in the story of doing something differently, there are going to be more failures than successes, writes Gary Dushnitsky, Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship at London Business School (Lea, 2015, p. 58). For innovation to be effective, suggested innovations should be met with a ‘why not?’ approach instead of a ‘why?’(Simms, 2015, p. 37).

For libraries, the push to continuously adapt to the changing needs and expectations of their communities means that the practice of innovation is of high value in optimising service delivery. Many of the benefits that businesses can realise through innovation, such as increases in quality, efficiency and productivity, can also be applied to the library environment. The perception that libraries are in desperate need of change, that they are an outmoded and irrelevant institution, and that they are at risk of being superseded by increased access to technology, has only further highlighted to libraries that innovation will be crucial to their ability to survive and thrive in the future, redefining their role and relevance to today's communities. As stated by past Public Library Association President and Director of Skokie Public Library, Carolyn A. Anthony (2014), the future of the public library depends on sustainable and continuous innovation. The recognition of the acknowledged importance of innovation to the profession is reflected in the awards, grants and conferences that reward and present examples of innovation, or contribute to and fund innovative projects. For example, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) award the EIFL Public Library Innovation Award, and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) host a Leadership & Innovation Forum. Innovation involves experimentation and risk-taking, not qualities traditionally associated with libraries, but through the application of new ideas and methods, libraries can develop a better, more responsive, more valued service that meets the needs of today's communities and the communities of the future. In this book, innovation is used as a term to describe public libraries' use of new, different, unusual or unique ideas, processes, delivery methods or ways of working that offer improved library services for their communities, or assist libraries to better meet their strategic objectives and goals. This book celebrates innovative library services by highlighting and promoting their activities.

Methodology

This book identifies innovative library initiatives and projects as well as examining five public library services that demonstrate particular innovation and success. A literature review was conducted in order to locate new, different and unusual library programmes, initiatives or services. This focussed primarily on trade publications, such as library association journals, as well as public library news magazines and library science academic journals. A list of journals and magazines consulted can be found in the Appendix. Issues of these publications were reviewed from Jan. 2013 to early 2016, limiting the projects identified to those that were relatively recent, i.e. those that were reported in a publication after Jan. 2013. Effort was made to locate publications from a variety of different countries. Articles that were not in English were translated using online translation tools, wherever possible. After identifying a number of articles and the projects described therein, each article was assigned a number of keywords to facilitate ease of data sorting and searching. The five library services selected to be examined in greater detail were chosen through the use of criteria such as,

• The number of times the library service was mentioned in articles for different projects,

• Whether the library had been recognised with awards,

• Whether innovation was demonstrated in a number of different areas,

• The availability of information about the library service.

In order to provide variety and maintain an international focus, libraries were not chosen that were geographically close together.

After identifying the libraries, additional research was done on the library service in general, and on their recent activities. Effort was made to contact most of the libraries examined, but not all libraries that were contacted responded. That being the case, the majority of the information presented is publicly available, either on library websites or through various journals or news articles.

The trends identified and examined in Chapter 3 are based upon the themes evident from the content of the literature review, and in the activities of the libraries examined in Chapter 2. After the trends were identified, additional research was performed which often correlated with existing conversations in the professional literature. This information has been incorporated and discussed as the background and basis of each trend. As such, the trends identified in Chapter 3 are primarily based on the practices and experiences of libraries, not on theoretical discussions, even if the practices of the libraries were at first prompted by them. In Chapter 4, the common strategic directions of innovative libraries are identified, with several objectives and actions outlined for each. These directions were identified through the overview of innovative activities by libraries, and by examining strategic plans from the five innovative library services identified in Chapter 2.

International scope

Although this book aims to present international library practice, maintaining an international scope has been challenging. Obstacles which have been encountered include,

• The difficulty of locating information sources for some countries,

• The lack of sources in English, and the lack of suitable translations,

• Countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Australia make up the majority of the available professional literature, lending a bias,

• The high levels of professional activity in some countries, resulting in higher numbers of articles and an increased amount of discussion of library activities,

• By the very nature of the book's topic, countries that have a high level of innovation are represented more than others,

• Limited to sources in English, establishing a bias towards English-speaking countries.

These have contributed to a narrower scope, with more examples of innovation presented from the United States, and Western and Northern European library services. However, it must be noted that the United States and Northern European countries are often acknowledged as the most modern and advanced public libraries in the world, and as such, we would expect to find more examples of innovation from these regions. Certainly, countries where public library systems are established, well-funded and well-supported have considerably more opportunities to innovate than those that are not. The author has made every effort to review available literature for examples of innovative practice in libraries, but does not claim to have knowledge of every instance of public library innovation.

Context

It is difficult to make a general statement on the position of public libraries today. The political, economic and social environment of the various countries in which public library systems operate have a significant impact on the state of those systems. How well utilised, funded, supported and valued public libraries are depends largely on the attitudes and position of their various funding bodies and is influenced by the concerns of local, regional and national governments. However, some background for the current operations of public libraries and their challenges would provide useful context on the activities described in this book. To that end, an attempt will be made at briefly outlining some global economic and social trends that have influenced and are likely to continue to influence libraries. These economic and social trends form a backdrop to the activities of public libraries, as well as influencing policy decision-making of funding bodies.

Economy

The world economy continues to recover from the global economic crisis that began in 2008. Additionally, the slowdown of the Chinese economy has more recently affected the economies of countries such as Australia. The recession and limited economic growth that many economies are experiencing has meant that public libraries are struggling for funding and are subject to cost-cutting measures. This has been particularly noticeable in the United Kingdom, where cost-cutting over multiple years has led to considerable reductions in opening hours, significant loss of staff and closures of library branches across the country. In an article on staffing cuts, the BBC (2016) reported that 343 libraries had closed (including mobile libraries), with a further 111 closures planned for 2016. Additionally, the number of paid staff had fallen by 25% from 2010 figures, across the 182 authorities that provided data (BBC, 2016). As well as closures, libraries had been handed to community groups or other organisations to run, with the number of volunteer staff doubling from 2010 (BBC, 2016). At the same time, the economic crisis has prompted an increase in demand on library services, as people seek to economise their purchasing, with greater use of libraries for borrowing, as well as a need for services for demographics such as people experiencing homelessness, and for assisting job seekers. This has caused strain on public libraries, as they strive to provide the same level of service and meet increased demand with reduced staffing and budgets. This has