Turn It Into a Design Challenge: Design Think Your Way to a Better Library

Long Island Library Resources Council Annual Conference

Libraries and the Future

November 6, 2015

Steven Bell

bells@temple.edu

twitter: /blended lib

#LILRC15

The link to this video is found on the presentation handout

Two-Minute Design Challenge

Take a stand-up computer station.

Commonly found in libraries.

Imagine a community member

using it.

What are possible pain points?

Work alone or with others.

Three Things

• What is Design Thinking

• Why We Should Care

• Using a Design Challenge

The IDEO Design Process

The Deep Dive: Shopping Cart Project

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Empathic Design

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Identify the Problem

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Brainstorm Solutions

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Create Prototypes

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Implementation

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

The Deep Dive: Evaluation

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dtrkrz0yoU

Why We Should Care

Image courtesy of http://sketchplanations.com

Wicked Problems

A challenge that is not merely

complex but that is characterized

by ambiguity, shifting qualities and

no clear solution.

Wicked Library Problems

How can our libraries reflect the diversity of our

communities?

Do students learn what we say they

do (e.g., achieve outcomes)?

Do people become lifelong learners?

How do we adapt for changing demographics in our

community

The Design Challenge

The link to this resource is found on the presentation handout

Five-Minute Design Challenge

“How Might We…..” Statement

State your challenge as “How might we…

Too broad: HMW eliminate the reference desk?

Too narrow: HMW make the desk smaller?

Just right: HMW redesign the space to accommodate

stationary and roving reference?

• Talk to people

• Immerse Yourself

• Visit a totally

unexpected place

• Defer judgment

• Wild ideas Ok

• Build on ideas of

others

• Be visual

• Go for quantity

• Stay focused

• Create models

• Digital mock-ups

• Role playing

• Mock ads

• Experiment with

space

• Use a variety of

tools and crafts

• Share your proto-

type with user

• Have them use it

• Ask questions

• List ideas for

modifications

• Reflect with team

Five-Minute Design Challenge

Gather Information

Choose a partner. Find out about their daily commute

to work.

Ask about logistics but also how that person feels

about their commute.

Focus on what’s unique, identified needs (ask WHY).

Could this commute be improved?

The link to this video is found on the presentation handout

Future Proofing Story

Clear Cut Forest

Source: commons.wikipedia.org

Pine Creek Log Drive

Source: commons.wikipedia.org

Getting Lumber to the Mill

Source: D.H. Easton & Company

Typical Williamsport Lumber Mill

Source: Benton News

Next Steps

• Learn more about design thinking

• Have conversations with staff

• Plan a small design challenge and involve

staff

• Move on to your wicked problem

Add Your Voice To The Conversation

Questions? Discussion!