Assignment X: User Focused Innovation

Hyperlinked Libraries call for a collaborative environment that is constantly innovative and forward-thinking regarding tools and ideas. Because of this focus, I chose to explore the technological advancements that impact libraries as explained in Brian Matthews’ article “The Unquiet Library Has High Schoolers Geeked” and Sasika Leferink’s piece titled “To Keep People Happy … Keep Some Books.” In Matthews’ article, he explains student reactions to the encouragement of using cell phones in their high school’s library (2010). By permitting the students to use their cell phones during a presentation as a class discussion tool, Creekview High School’s librarians encourage collaboration and community building while embracing the most recent technology. The prominence of collaboration in libraries makes them “unquiet” as students and information professionals have open conversations with each other about the library and the organization itself makes “positive ‘noise’ as [they] build a program that makes a difference in the lives of … students and teachers” (Matthews, 2010). Although the Creekview High School library coined the idea of an “Unquiet Library” many other libraries have begun embracing technological advancements and emphasized community building. 

The Free University of Amsterdam decided to embrace the foundations of Hyperlinked Libraries by adapting to change with the patron’s preferences in mind (Leferink, 2018). Although the world is becoming increasingly digital, atmosphere and environment still impact a user’s enjoyment of a space. Information grounds are not only a place to access information resources but also an environment, unrelated to work or home life, where people can interact with the intent of leisure and building connections (Leferink, 2018). Because of libraries’ role in community building the patrons must be considered in public-facing decisions, such as renovations so that they still feel comfortable and as if their needs are addressed. In the Free University of Amsterdam’s library, the users’ input encouraged the library to continue housing physical books, despite the increasing amount of tech used in modern library services (Leferink, 2018). Leferink explained that the patron’s desire to be surrounded by books because of their impact on the library’s atmosphere directly impacted the renovation plans (2018). 

While libraries are constantly evolving, there are moments, such as the dot-com boom of the late 1990s or the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when immediate adaptation is necessary. Unexpected circumstances force all organizations to adjust, but libraries’ immediate innovation is necessary so that no patron’s access to information is abridged or limited. In their study, Dipti Mehta and Xiaocan Wang, discuss libraries’ willingness to adapt by analyzing Bridgewater State University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the university initially transitioned to online learning, student and faculty library users expressed confusion and frustration regarding virtual library services, so the BSU librarians worked to address these concerns as quickly as possible (Mehta & Wang, 2020). One approach the librarians took to better meet the needs of their patrons while following COVID-19 protocols was the creation of a “Coronavirus and Library Services” web page which contains FAQs, LibGuides, ways to access free resources, and virtual reference services (Mehta & Wang, 2020). Each component of this site was in response to questions asked by patrons. The librarians, like those at Creekview High School and the Free University of Amsterdam, used the newest technology and library users’ insights to continue performing the best library services possible. Overall, the BSU library’s immediate response to the pandemic by considering the patrons, as well as the innovative tools available to them, meets the founding principles of hyperlinked libraries by remaining collaborative and forward-thinking even in times of uncertainty. 

References

Leferink, S. (2018). To keep people happy … Keep some books. Next. https://blog.oclc.org/next/to-keep-people-happy-keep-some-books/ 

Matthews, B. (2010). The unquiet library has high schoolers geeked. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2010/06/21/unquiet-library-has-high-schoolers-geeked/ 

Mehta, D., & Wang, X. (2020). COVID-19 and digital library services – a case study of a university library. OCLC Systems and Services., 36(4), 351–363. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-05-2020-0030