Why doesn’t my library have that?

Exploring constant and purposeful change in the library profession

I have always made it a point to visit a local library when visiting a new area. A fun addition to a library’s collection that always makes me excitedly gasp is the use of a seed library. I’m always excited to see what they have to offer. Seed libraries are an amazingly simple service that provide the community access to free seeds to plant and grow on their own. Any limitations, restrictions, or additional suggestions regarding the service are decided by the host library. This potential for seed libraries results in a unique experience for library users at any location that offers the service.

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A question always came to mind after marveling at a new seed library I discovered: “Why doesn’t my library have that?” This honest question can apply to many instances of encountering new or unique services offered at select libraries – from a new innovation center that hosts a wide collection of creative technologies to introducing self-service access for essential library services outside of normal operating hours. There are so many creative ideas out in the world that have successfully introduced a new service to libraries and the communities they serve. While those stories are inspiring to see in action, sometimes we as users can’t help but ask: Why not here?

“When we discuss constant and purposeful change, we do not mean change just for the sake of change” (Casey & Savastinuk, 2007).

We as library professionals must always remember that change is a constant in our profession of working with users and creating services to satisfy their evolving needs. In order to remain relevant to users, we must strive to keep up with new technologies and public expectations. Purposeful change within a library considers the motivation behind “why” we want to introduce a new service or idea (Casey & Savastinuk, 2007) and ensures that the reasoning supports not only the mission and goals of the library but also the needs of current and potential users.

This is a foundational concept!

Discovering a potential idea, considering the motivation for going forward, evaluating the current situation, and gathering evidence to guide future decisions are all preliminary steps taken in the push for purposeful change. It’s a process – not simply a suggestion – that once fine-tuned will result in more successful and smoother instances of implementing change.

An effective incorporation of constant and purposeful change can be seen in set frameworks that can help guide library professionals during the brainstorming, creation, and implementation of a certain idea. I am reminded of the useful IDEO framework that I was introduced to back in my Design Thinking course. Similar to the push for purposeful change in library settings, the IDEO framework spends a good chunk of the process defining a needed problem and the users that are being addressed. An understanding of the problem and a clear reasoning on the motivation for the intended users will make or break any new push within the library profession.

“Library 2.0 is perhaps above all else, the idea of constant change. Not only constant library change, but the recognition that our communities are constantly changing, and that our services to then must change proportionally” (Stephens, 2019).

Collections and services take time to go from an initial idea to the planning and final implementation. Whether there were a few people or an entire department behind a push for a new service, there is always some amount of effort put into these ideas. Remembering the need for constant and purposeful change during these processes ensures that the well-meant effort put into these services don’t fall into the examples of “plan, implement, and forget” (Casey & Savastinuk, 2007) that are used by many libraries.

This foundational concept of change is an essential reminder for me and other future library professionals that change comes with a lot of evaluation and planning. I found out that the LA County Library service that my local library is under actually has its own seed library locations. It just turned out that my location wasn’t one of them. Of course, that could be just one of other possible reasons for them not choosing my location. These plans also take time. OC Public Libraries (OCPL) just recently launched their own pilot program of Seed Libraries throughout their branches in early June and the results are amazing. Every implemented collection is unique with their motivations ranging from sustainability to local history to fresh food access.

References

Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: A guide to participatory library service. Medford, N.J: Information Today.

https://voiceofoc.org/2025/07/seed-libraries-sprout-across-oc/

https://www.riversideca.gov/library/hours-locations/main-library

Stephens, M. (2019). Chapter 1: “Past Is Prologue” in Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance