Design thinking toolkit for libraries
A new Design Thinking Toolkit for Libraries has been published and is free to download and use. It puts people and ideas at the centre of its methodology.
14 Jan 2015
Chicago Public Libraries and Aarhus Public Libraries (Denmark) worked with design company IDEO to find out how their human-centred design thinking methods might best be adapted and applied to a library context. The final result is a comprehensive new resource for any library leader or staff member hoping to advance their library.
The toolkit guides you through Design Thinking so you can start coming up with solutions to everyday challenges within the library, or undertake a complete rethink of the library purpose, function and use of spaces. Design thinking, or human-centered design, is all about starting with people — the users who visit your library. IDEO have been using similar methods to envision new products, services, spaces, and experiences in other business areas and social contexts. IDEO created this toolkit specifically for the library setting in close co-operation with the project teams in Chicago and Aarhus.
The toolkit comes in two parts: the toolkit guide, and the accompanying activities workbook. If you don’t have much time then download the ”At-a-Glance-Guide” which introduces how you might get started using design thinking over the course of one day.
The toolkit is created with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – The Global Libraries initiative.