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Innovation Strategy & Roadmap

The Innovation Strategy and Roadmap is a plan (not a proposal) for implementing an emerging trend, technology, or participatory service. Your audience is your patrons/users.

Overview

In this assignment, you will design a high-level Innovation Strategy & Roadmap to guide the rollout of a new or emerging technology, service, or program in a library or information setting. The goal is to engage with your community via technology, service or some other human-focused innovation. Imagine you’re presenting this roadmap to a library’s implementation committee: it should be concise, clear, actionable, and mission-aligned. Imagine your institution has already been granted funding (or has a newly-available space), and you selected an up-and-coming service or technology that interests you—and your user population—most.

This is not about chasing trends—it’s about sustainable, participatory planning, inspired by Taming Technolust, Technoplans vs. Technolust, and our Planning Module.

Format Choices

You may choose:

Text-Based Blog Post

    • Write a concise report on your course blog. Use images, embedded media, or infographics for clarity and emphasis. Imagine this report will be shared with the implementation committee.

    Slide-Based Visual Plan

    • Create a professional-style slide deck using Canva, Google Slides, Adobe Express, etc. Embed it in your blog post. Imagine you may gather the committee for this presentation online or in person.

In both cases, clearly label each section and cite/reference the tools, media, or readings used.

Required Components

What is the idea? (~150–200 words or 1-2 slides) – Provide a brief overview of the technology or service. What are the goals and objectives? Who are you helping? Describe the community you are seeking to serve. How will this help them?

Mission & Institutional Context (~150–200 words or 1-2 slides) – Summarize the library’s mission, audience, and current needs. Why this innovation, now?

Action Brief Statement –  Label this section clearly—it’s a cornerstone of your strategy.  Create an action brief of your own as part of this process focused on the user population you want to reach. For example: convince {a certain group} that by {utilizing the new or improved service or technology, etc} they will {discover a new or cool thing about the library or service} which will {create the outcome you are aiming for} because {this is what the library is about}. If part of your plan involves staff-buy in, write a second Action Brief statement for staff.

Where did you find inspiration? (Bulleted list with URLs or 1-2 slides) Where has this already been implemented? Share links to web sites or articles related to the technology or service in other institutions.

 

Then for the remainder of the assignment, cover these area with a high level of of detail. Think of them as points for discussion with your implementation team. Brainstorm some bullet points for each or create graphics. This section may be 500 – 750 words or be covered in multiple slides.

Guidelines & Policies – What should the usage or implementation guidelines include? Who might help create or approve these policies? What ethical, access, or operational issues need addressing?

Timeline for Implementation – What is a reasonable, realistic timeline for rollout? What are the key phases in the project flow?

Marketing & Promotion – How will you promote this innovation within the organization? How can you reach and engage your external users or community? What communication channels (email, social media, in-library signage) will be used? What story or message will your marketing emphasize?

Staff Training & Readiness – What information or skills will staff need? Who will be trained—and who will train them? What materials or support tools will be created for staff?

Evaluation & Future Expansion – What performance benchmarks or usage metrics will guide your evaluation? What success stories do you hope to tell? How will feedback be gathered and shared? How might the service grow or evolve over time?

Requirements

Evaluation Criteria (20 points total)

  • Required Components (5 pts): Clearly organized, well-written post or slide-based submission using visuals and/or media. All six required sections are included. Entry is submitted on time via the blog platform and meets format expectations.
  • Connections to Course Content (5 pts): Thoughtful integration of course readings (especially Taming Technolust and Technoplans vs. Technolust), module content, and lecture themes. Ideas are well-supported with specific references.
  • Comprehension and Analysis (5 pts): Demonstrates clear, high-level understanding of planning strategies and participatory innovation. Content reflects careful thought, analysis of needs/context, and planning literacy.
  • Progression of Thought and Reflection (5 pts): Shows intellectual growth, planning insight, and an evolving understanding of sustainable innovation in library contexts. Student’s professional voice is evident throughout.

This page was developed with support from Hyperlinked Library Insights, an AI-enhanced course partner that has been trained on the full content of INFO 287: The Hyperlinked Library, including modules, assignments, and grading criteria.

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