Do school libraries need to embrace a mindset and approach of innovation? I believe, very strongly, that they do. But what does innovation mean (hint: it’s not just technology) and what does it mean and look like for school libraries?
What is innovation?
Innovation is not just embracing the latest trend, adding a whole lot of tech to your library or having a fancy interactive display wall (I should know, my library has one and while it is extremely cool and beautiful, it’s not where I see innovation in our space). Innovation is the introduction of new methods, ideas or products that solve problems and bring value. It is a process and a mindset. I’ve explored what innovation is in greater detail here.
So, knowing that, do school libraries have to embrace innovation?
Why we must innovate
I strong believe that absolutely, 100%, unequivocally, they must. School libraries must innovate or they become stale, redundant and all too easily replaceable or removable.
I would argue that many have embraced innovation for as long as school libraries have been around. Do school libraries look the same as they did 50 years ago? What’s changed? Did those changes bring value and solve needs? That’s innovation.
But of course we have entered a time of rapid change. Where once innovation might have been moving away from a card catalogue or finally adding graphic novels to the collection, now the needs of our uses are rapidly evolving and how we move to continue to meet these needs to be equally fast.
Innovation in a school library will and should look different for every space. Because innovation is not just following the latest trends or adding some flashy tech into a space. It’s about making changes that bring value and solve needs. It’s also not about doing everything, but instead being selective to bring the most value through creative solutions. The flip side to innovation is stagnation and redundancy and we know that sounds a death nell for school libraries.
How do I go about looking or starting to innovate?
First step is to understand it’s a mindset. This is not a one-action, tick-a-box-task and you are done. It’s about constantly looking for needs and how you find creative solutions to them. It’s about embracing change. Not for the sake of change but for the sake of solving needs and bringing value. It’s not about throwing all the old out for the new, it’s about integration and continual change. And that’s hard for some people. But if you don’t change at all, then you risk becoming stagnant and replaceable. Change or die, as they say.
So that’s step one, what’s step two?
Look for needs. Do you see a need? Have you heard of a need from students or staff or leadership or families? “I wish had someway of finding friends, I wish I could get my children off screens, I wish I could teach fractions in a more engaging way.” You probably hear hundreds of needs and problems every day. Which are the school library uniquely placed to solve? Now into play comes your school library’s strategic plan and vision statement. Don’t have one, find out why I think you should here. That helps to guide what needs you try to solve and which you think sit outside your scope.
Then it’s time to take a leap and try something. Brainstorm ideas. Work with others. Try, test, reflect, refine. Or try a design thinking approach. You can read more about cultivating innovation here.
Find inspiration
You can find inspiration anywhere and everywhere you just have to be on the lookout. Visit other libraries, other schools, other sectors. Search online, curate a social professional learning network, read, attend webinars and conferences. All are brimming with ideas and things to try. Adapt them to your space. Reflect on the impact, adjust and change again.
Where I see innovation in my school library
It might surprise you where I see innovation every day in my school library. Maybe you are doing a lot of the same things. Here are a few examples
- Allowing students a space to problem solve and work on open-ended challenges. Our makerspace is a hub of innovation and creative thinking.
- A new collection that supports wellbeing and the needs the counsellors mention they hear from students and families.
- A LibPath that responds to a need to group resources together, like the instructions for installing programs for accessing a range of tools and software required. Different from a usual research page, but very much solving a need.
- Library staff constantly looking to adjust spaces and respond to students requests and comments.
- Library sessions that use the design thinking model to provoke students to solve challenges.
- Offering a wider range of lunchtime activities and hands-on resources to tempt students away from their screens.
What do you think? Do you think innovation is key for school libraries? How have you innovated in your school library recently?