Southwest Wisconsin Association of Libraries Annual Conference 10.7.16 | BRIANNA MARSHALL DESIGN THINKING FOR LIBRARIANS

ABOUT ME Email: [email protected] Twitter: @notsosternlib Digital Curation Coordinator, UW-Madison Libraries ● Research data management ● Institutional repository ● Digital scholarship So, a lot of: ● Community building ● Project management ● Strategic service planning

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DESIGN THINKING = DT

MY EXPERIENCES WITH D/T How I first got started with this design thinking thing.

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DT IN BROADER CULTURE

Creative Confidence Tom + David Kelley

Creativity loves constraints.

The Design Thinking Toolkit http://designthinkingforlibraries.com/

1. DT Toolkit Guide (121 pages) 2. DT Activities Workbook (60 pages) 3. DT in a Day (17 pages) Download each free PDF guide at: designthinkingforlibraries.com

WHAT DESIGN THINKING IS + WHY IT MATTERS Overview and context for design thinking.

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You might be thinking... ◇ This sounds pretty cheesy. ◇ It’s way overhyped/trendy right now. ◇ I’m not creative. ◇ I don’t have any issues solving problems. ◇ Etc.

… have you ever felt stuck? Image courtesy of Flickr user lisajeans (CC BY ND)

Image courtesy of Flickr user 121584717@N03 (CC BY ND)

WHY LIBRARIES? DTT page 15

HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A DESIGNER - OR EVEN THINK OF YOURSELF AS CREATIVE - TO MAKE DESIGN THINKING WORK FOR YOU.

AN APPROACH + A MINDSET DTT page 6

[ beginner’s mindset ]

CASE STUDY 1: MRI REDESIGN

CASE STUDY 1: MRI REDESIGN

Image used courtesy of mojohelpdesk.com

CPL CASE STUDY ◇ The team: 4 children’s librarians + 1 branch manager ◇ Their question: How might we integrate play into CPL’s core services? DTT page 11-14

CPL: INSPIRATION ◇ Interviewed + observed at nearby locations for children, including several interactive children’s museums ◇ Interviewed experts on play, including two librarians with opposing views on its value ◇ Interviewed families to understand “how they use the library together, and how the library fits into the larger context of their lives.” (11) DTT page 11-14

CPL: IDEATION The team began generating ideas by sharing stories, piecing together patterns, and documenting findings, including: ◇ Libraries are perceived as the third safe place between school and home, and therefore there is potentially more permission to experiment with offerings. ◇ The library should be part of the investigative process in a child’s life. ◇ Parents and librarians have a tendency to want to control or structure play, so new programs have to balance a need for control with a need for flexibility that is inherent in play activities. ◇ Parents of school-aged children want a separation between play and study. DTT page 11-14

CPL: IDEATION ◇ Next, they brainstormed ways to turn insight into actionable ideas and prototypes. ◇ In five hours, they worked with foam core, toys, and other materials on hand to prototype a new children’s space that allowed children to tell stories to one another. DTT page 11-14

CPL: ITERATION Prototype #1: Interactive Storytelling Window ◇ Set up stage and props at Chinatown branch ◇ Intentionally required little facilitation or involvement from librarians ◇ Observed and gathered feedback from children and parents DTT page 11-14

CPL: ITERATION Prototype #1: Interactive Storytelling Window Important points learned: 1. Older children were too self-conscious to perform in an open space 2. Children wanted to draw on the white boards, not write down stories. DTT page 11-14

CPL: ITERATION Prototype #2: Real-time Comics ◇ Children were invited to recreate known comic book characters or create their own, then respond to others’ creations ◇ Event focused on interaction vs. performance ◇ Library staff more involved in inviting children to draw in the windows and create mini-comics DTT page 11-14

CPL: ITERATION Prototype #2: Real-time Comics Important points learned: ◇ Children were willing to collaborate in telling stories ◇ Children loved an activity like writing on the walls, which they couldn’t do at home ◇ Families need structure in activities, at least until play in the library becomes normal ◇ Families need permission to be loud. Some staff would need to change views about noise and control, which may require training. DTT page 11-14

CPL: SCALING UP A new design challenge: Now that they had some good ideas, how could CPL translate them across different branches? ◇ Focus on librarian roles rather than tools or materials ◇ Sensitivity to local branch cultures ◇ Introduces possibilities for both repurposing existing space and developing new space ◇ Setting flexible yet achievable goals, ie, “every branch having at least one service, space or program that demonstrates the value of play and storytelling in childhood learning.” (DTT, 14) Caveat: Details for how CPL transmitted these ideas across branch libraries / whether they met these goals are sparse. DTT page 11-14

CPL: SCALING UP CPL framework addressing qualities of different branch libraries. DTT page 11-14

DTT page 16

Image courtesy of Flickr user 1234abcd (CC BY)

Team Building Tips ◇ Work within your routine ◇ Start small (2-5 people) ◇ Team diversity leads to more creative solutions! ◇ Share a home base ◇ Discuss roles for team members - especially the leader role DTT page 20-21

Image courtesy of Flickr user 121617458@N03 (CC BY ND)

D/T Prep: Habits + Logistics ◇ Find a project space - even just a wall works! ◇ Protect team time (recurring meetings) ◇ What’s your communication strategy? ◇ Don’t be afraid to visualize ideas as you go ◇ Externalize thoughts through big post-its that team members can see, rather than jotting things down in a private notebook ◇ Document! Document! Document! You’ll be glad you did. DTT page 23

Flavors of Design Thinking Image courtesy of Flickr user titlab (CC BY)

Facilitated, team-based DT A la carte DT Impromptu DT

Facilitated Design Thinking ● Set roles and responsibilities (primarily facilitator / team lead) ● Schedule commitment ● Dedication to following DT principles and processes (within reason) ○ Inspiration ○ Ideation ○ Iteration

A La Carte Design Thinking ● Using elements of DT process in your practice, either day-to-day or project-based ● Flexibility is key - using the process less formally may make you more comfortable with it over time

Impromptu Design Thinking ● Carving out time to do DT - even without a major project ● Allows for shorter, quicker mini-sessions to tackle problems ● Creativity re-boost ● Sister of the “make day” ?

My Design Thinking Reflections ● DT process was both uncomfortable and freeing ● A facilitator is pretty necessary, especially when the process is new ● As a non-visual person, rapid prototyping pushed me out of my comfort zone FAST ● Shared vocabulary and terminology help ● Trust the process!

1. DT Toolkit Guide (121 pages) 2. DT Activities Workbook (60 pages) 3. DT in a Day (17 pages) Download each free PDF guide at: designthinkingforlibraries.com

thank you! [email protected]