Innovation. It’s the word plastered to the front wall outside my school library. It’s in some of my staff’s role titles. It’s in the name of my space. And it’s at the heart of my Seven Domains of School Library Practice Framework. But I think it has to be one of the most misunderstood and misused words in education. So what is innovation? What is it not? And how does it fit in school libraries?
So let’s start with what innovation is not
Innovation is not technology. It’s not coding or robotics. Innovation is not a fancy makerspace or interactive display area, virtual reality, or AI. Those can be innovative, many are, but they are not innovation.
Innovation is not some shiny, fancy thing. Innovation is not new. And, despite how often it is used this way, it’s not some gimmicky name.
Nor is innovation change for the sake of change, nor is it endless invention without true desire for impact and solving a need.
What is innovation?
Innovation is about need and value. Innovation is the process of creating or applying new approaches that add value and solve a need to benefit others.
Innovation is a mindset and an openness to trying new things.
Innovation carries risk, especially in school libraries where resources can be scarce. Innovation involves taking a leap of faith as we try new programs, projects or ideas, perhaps without a lot of evidence to demonstrate impact. Instead we document and share that evidence later to see if it worked. We aren’t always sure those creative projects will bring the value we hope they will. But we take the challenge on to invest in our spaces and services. Innovation can also mean changing what is known and feels safe. It’s a risk and one we take to stay relevant and of value to our communities.
What is innovation in a school library?
Here are just a few examples of innovation in school libraries.
Information Literacy
Expanding how we teach information literacy to reflect online ways of searching for, finding, and engaging with information. We’ve created new systems, adapted lessons, delivered content in new ways, and constantly refined to meet the needs of our staff and students as the information landscape has dramatically changed.
Expanding our definition and support of literacy
From reading and writing to information, digital, media, health and now AI literacy, how school libraries have defined and supported literacy is a way we’ve responded to a changing landscape and need, bringing great value to our school communities.
Digital Resources
We’ve expanded our collections to include ebooks, audiobooks, digital graphic novels and magazines, apps, websites, databases and online tools. But we don’t just look for any new resource, we find and select the resources that best fit the needs of our users, that support them in their learning and reading, finding resources and platforms that offer diverse, accessible and responsive services.
Embracing more than books
School libraries have evolved to emphasise space, community, belonging, more than just rows of books. This is a key part of school libraries now, something that has immense value. We continue to change to support wellbeing, parents, and the wider school communities.
Makerspaces and hands on learning
In the early 2010s, school libraries embraced crafting, prototyping, making, and robotics in the form of makerspaces. Some where little stations, other pop-up spaces and some dedicated zones. This has continued to evolve as we support podcasting, virtual reality, 3d printing and so much more. Again, these things are not just innovation for the sake of a gimmick or toy, but in response to supporting student learning, interest and connection to industry.
Embracing social media
School libraries have embraced social media and used it in innovative ways, from advocating for school libraries and the role of a school library staff member to promoting our services and collections and connecting with our users. We’ve used what was available to us in new and exciting ways.
Lots more
There are lots of other examples of innovation, from genrefication to student library committees, student-driven collection development, self-checkout systems, family reading programs, and wellbeing collections.
So, can you look back and see decades of change, value and meeting need in your school library? Then you have been part of innovation. Innovation within your own practice, within your school library and within the school library profession as a whole. Do you think innovation sits at the heart of school libraries? I do.
I like your take on innovation, but I have to say that I have never been a big fan. The maker space came and went, the pilot program of digital titles left the students cold, and changes in library lessons have evolved slowly but have embraced digital literacy. Still continue to have a lot of success just getting the right book to the right student at the right time, and that’s sometimes all I have time for. Will genrefy over my cold, dead body! Haven’t yet been told I am not adding value to the school.
It sounds like you do bring a lot of value to your school. Innovation is all about need and value, and no, that doesn’t mean every new thing is worth it or what your community needs. Sounds like you are making some great decisions about where to focus energies (we can agree to disagree about the genrefication).