Innovation Strategy & Roadmap: Outdoor Library-as-a-Service (OLaaS) – A 24/7 Hybrid Learning Space in Westwood

What is the Idea?

Innovation Description

A new innovative idea is the creation of an Outdoor Library-as-a-Service (OLaaS) model near the Westwood branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. The OLaaS innovation will extend library services from the building itself to a 24-hour technology-enhanced public learning space in the surrounding park area. Unlike adopting technology simply because it is new, the OLaaS project places greater emphasis on planning, community involvement, and long-term sustainability, reflecting the ideas presented in Technoplans vs. Technolust (Stephens, 2004).

Purpose of Innovation

The purpose of such an innovation would be to create an accessible learning community for not only UCLA students but also for the community members that make use of public facilities for safety and learning.

This framework incorporates current trends in libraries through social infrastructure, outdoor digital connectivity, and design flexibility for service provision (Institute of Museum and Library Services [IMLS], 2022; Stephens, 2016). Critical elements of OLaaS are outdoor Wi-Fi networks, charging points, modular furniture and study spaces, and digital access nodes used for searching the library collection and services. With QR codes and mobile apps, users can access the library services from anywhere outside the building on their mobile phones.

OLaaS seeks to solve the problem of overcrowding in the library space to increase accessibility of information and study space during non-operating times of the library (Aabø & Audunson, 2012).

2. Mission & Institutional Context

Los Angeles Public Library is geared towards serving an urban community in need of information, education, and other resources, in addition to offering free and equitable access to such services (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d.). In particular, the library at the Westwood Branch functions in a unique setting, owing to its close connection to UCLA and the socioeconomic disparity, which includes homeless people who depend on the public space as their only reliable option.

Current challenges include a lack of seating inside, limited operating hours, and high demand for studying space. Such barriers are experienced especially during the time when there is an increase in the number of students. Such innovations are necessary as public libraries become less focused on their buildings and more connected to the community through digital expansion. These innovations are important at the moment due to libraries being key to accessing digital technologies and learning informally (American Library Association, 2023).

OLaaS fulfills the objective of the library in its mission of providing equitable access to services not only within the library but also outside its premises, such that services are available during the off hours (Stephens, 2016).

Action Brief Statements

Westwood Branch Action Brief

User-Centric Action Brief

Persuade UCLA students and members of the Westwood community that by engaging in the OLaaS space, they can benefit from 24-hour access to a safe, connected, and flexible environment for learning and accessing information, which will result in improved learning experiences, reduced space barriers, and increased access to library services on an equal basis, as the library aims to extend knowledge and access beyond its physical walls.

Staff/Administrative Action Brief

Persuade library staff and administration that by adopting OLaaS as an outdoor service expansion in phases, they will be able to overcome the problem of indoor overcrowding, expand their reach, and promote community engagement, which will reinforce the library’s status of a 24/7 civic resource, as libraries are changing into hybrid infrastructures of digital and physical spaces.

Where Did I Find Inspiration?

The idea for this innovation was inspired by current trends in public libraries that emphasize expanding access beyond the physical building, promoting digital equity, and creating community-centered public spaces. Rather than replicating an existing program, this roadmap combines several emerging ideas into a service model designed specifically for the Westwood community.

• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 
  • Research and funding initiatives that encourage libraries to develop innovative services, improve digital access, and strengthen community engagement.
• Little Free Library
  •  Demonstrates how library services can extend beyond traditional buildings into neighborhoods through accessible, community-based spaces (Little Free Library, n.d.).
•  Project for Public Spaces
  • Highlights how thoughtfully designed public spaces can foster learning, social connection, and civic engagement, providing inspiration for integrating library services into a nearby park (Project for Public Spaces, n.d.).
• San Mateo County Libraries “Library Outpost”
  • Demonstrates how libraries can extend services beyond traditional buildings by providing access points in community spaces. While the existing model focuses primarily on automated material access, OLaaS expands on this concept by combining technology, learning spaces, and community engagement to create a more interactive outdoor library extension (San Mateo County Libraries, 2024).

The concept was also inspired by the increasing role of public libraries as community hubs that provide technology access, flexible learning environments, and welcoming spaces for diverse populations. This proposal adapts those ideas to the unique needs of the Westwood neighborhood by creating a 24/7 outdoor library extension that serves students, local residents, and unhoused community members.

Guidelines & Policies

Guidelines for OLaaS would address accessibility, digital privacy, safety, and ongoing maintenance of the outdoor space. Policies should be developed collaboratively with Westwood Branch staff, Los Angeles Public Library leadership, city partners, and community stakeholders to ensure the space remains inclusive, secure, and responsive to user needs.

• • • Accessibility and Inclusion
      • Design the outdoor space in accordance with ADA guidelines, providing accessible seating, pathways, charging stations, and technology access points for all kinds of users.
    • Digital Privacy and Safety
      • Set up policies regarding public Wi-Fi usage, data privacy, device security, and proper technology usage.
    • Space Management and Maintenance:
      • Create policies regarding cleaning, maintenance of equipment, closures due to weather conditions, and monitoring outdoor resources.
    • Community Safety
      • Work in cooperation with library staff, city authorities, and community partners on the development of safety protocols without compromising openness of the space.
    •  Policy Development: Involve Westwood Branch staff, Los Angeles Public Library management, UCLA community partners, facility staff, and community members in the development of the policy guidelines.

Timeline for Implementation

Phase 1 (0–3 months): Planning & Community Engagement

• Conduct stakeholder meetings with library staff, city officials, UCLA representatives, and relevant community groups.
• Gather user feedback through survey or any other necessary method.
• Analyze the site for utilities and conduct safety assessments for the location.

Phase 2 (3–6 months): Setup

• Install Wi-Fi extension from the adjacent library building and add lighting features.
• Add modular seating, charging stations, and any other infrastructure to the approved area.
• Determine best layouts for small-scale study zones.

Phase 3 (6–12 months): Service Expansion

• Introduce QR-based catalog access points for digital access. 
• Add mobile book/resource carts for outdoor access to library materials.
• Softly launch library programming in the space including study groups, tutoring sessions, etc.

Phase 4 (12+ months): Full Integration

• Fully launch all programming and services for the outdoor space.
• Evaluate community usage data and other useful insights from pre and post-launch.
• Expand or adjust services as needed based on feedback and data.
• Formalize OLaaS as a permanent library service extension.

7. Marketing & Promotion

Marketing efforts will center on positioning OLaaS as the latest type of library:

• Conduct campus outreach via UCLA student network and digital signage.
• Create a social media campaign focusing on 24/7 availability and flexibility (American Library Association, 2023).
• Post onsite signs with QR codes pointing to library resources.
• Partner with student and community organizations for outreach.
• Launch website portal titled “Westwood Outdoor Learning Space.”

Message to be communicated: “Your Westwood Branch library never closes.”

Staff Training & Readiness

Staff training needs to cover the following areas:

• Address service management and facilities maintenance for hybrid indoors-outdoors facilities.
• Maintain the digital access technology including the Wi-Fi systems and QR codes in the catalogs.
• Continue to encourage community involvement in an open environment.
• Monitor for De-escalation scenarios and upkeep inclusive services (American Library Association, 2023).

The training program will consist of workshops, pilot tests, and peer training among libraries with similar outdoor or extended-hours facilities (Stephens, 2016). The training process will be conducted using personnel from the Westwood Branch library administration, and other facilities/technology teams as appropriate, with training being done by library administrators, IT professionals, and other partners responsible for outdoor technology facilities.

Evaluation & Future Expansion

Success will be evaluated based on:

• Metrics of usage in the data including but not limited to peak times, night time usage, and device usage.
• Surveys of user satisfaction from students and community members (IMLS, 2022).
• Crowd management between the indoor and outdoor library area.
• Indicators of equity access (user diversity) usage (American Library Association, 2023).
• Patron feedback on safety, comfort, and usability of the new area.
• Future plans may involve:
  • Potential deployments of OLaaS spaces at more LA Public Library branch locations.
  • Integration of solar power technology for a more eco-friendly set up.
  • Scaling to non-library locations for an “outdoor library zones” city-wide network.
  • Collaborate with UCLA for more student-driven programs.

Conclusion

Through the Outdoor Library-as-a-Service (OLaaS) approach, the function of the public library is transformed from one of an ever-present, dispersed, and participatory civic infrastructure. Through leveraging services in the nearby public spaces (Stephens, 2016) through technology and design, the Westwood branch can provide a 24/7 learning hub that truly responds to the diverse communities it serves.

References

Aabø, S., & Audunson, R. (2012). Use of library space and the library as place. Library & Information Science Research, 34(2), 138–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2011.06.002

American Library Association. (2023). Libraries transform communities. https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities

Burke, M. (2026). UCLA’s campus in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles [Photograph]. EdSource. In New UCLA program aims to help students struggling to transfer from community colleges. LA Local. https://thelalocal.org/education/new-ucla-program-aims-to-help-students-struggling-to-transfer-from-community-colleges/

enserz. (2024, September 15). Equity and the curriculum [Image]. Teaching it Real. https://teachreal.wordpress.com/2024/09/15/equity-and-the-curriculum/

Figueroa, J. (2023, November 18). Solving homelessness benefits everyone. Invisible People. https://invisiblepeople.tv/solving-homelessness-benefits-everyone/

Institute of Museum and Library Services. (2022). Strategic plan 2022–2026. https://www.imls.gov

KTLA. (2025). LA Central Library 100th anniversary celebration [Photograph]. KTLA. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/la-central-library-100th-anniversary-celebration/

Little Free Library. (n.d.). About Little Free Library. https://littlefreelibrary.org

Los Angeles Public Library. (n.d.). Mission and strategic plan. https://www.lapl.org

Los Angeles Public Library. (n.d.). Westwood Branch Library [Photograph]. Los Angeles Public Library. https://www.lapl.org/branches/westwood-branch-library

Project for Public Spaces. (n.d.). What makes a successful public space? https://www.pps.org

San Mateo County Libraries. (2024). Introducing our first library outpost. https://smcl.org/blogs/post/introducing-our-first-library-outpost-presentamos-nuestro-primer-outpost-de-la-biblioteca/

San Mateo County Libraries. (2023, December 7). Our first Library Outpost is coming! [Photograph]. San Mateo County Libraries. https://smcl.org/blogs/post/our-first-library-outpost-is-coming/

Stephens, M. (2004, November 1). Technoplans vs. technolust. Tame the Web. https://tametheweb.com/2004/11/01/technoplans-vs-technolust/

Stephens, M. (2016). The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change. ALA Editions.

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Family and MWR. (n.d.). 24/7 Library access [Photograph]. Wiesbaden Army MWR. https://wiesbaden.armymwr.com/happenings/247-library-access

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