Innovation in libraries

Having recently read over the Art Council England report about innovation in libraries, I thought I would blog about it. Even though the project is based on public libraries, and I work in an academic one, I feel that the innovative projects could be transferred from one area to another. This is of particular interest to me and I feel there is a lot that can be learnt from different libraries as well as my current library is moving location.

This, I think would be an ideal time to alter processes, make them more effective and provide new services. It seems that all libraries at the moment are either having funding reviewed and maybe because of this or due to this there is an increased need for local communities to help with libraries.

One of the libraries that the report highlights is Delft Concept Library, DOK, in the Netherlands, which is basically a world leader on the types of services, facilities and design that it offers its users. Using mobile technology and gaming to help people use the library.

Some of the other services mentioned in the report and offered by UK and overseas libraries, are more main stream but done either in a more personalised manner or found innovative funding. Other innovative services which have been highlighted in the report include:

·         Digital Bazaar, run by volunteers for people who want to learn more about their technology device. Providing hands on experience for people to learn how to sell on eBay, how to make an online phone call to a member of family and how to download an eBook.

·         More technologically advanced projects have been the reading glove, fitted with RFID, where the wearer can choose the direction that there story takes. 

·         Door step library, building on the notion of mobile library service, but instead it is specifically aimed to low income families, who can borrow children’s from someone working at the library.