What I find most fascinating about radical trust is how it challenges the traditional boundaries that most libraries have operated within for a very long time. Throughout my life, I’ve only known traditional libraries with the “for books, not necessarily for people” mindset. However, I am excited to learn about libraries shifting away from this attitude to actually become more than just a place for books, but rather a third space for anyone to explore, create, and thrive within independently. That’s a whole new world to me!
Lending Beyond Books
Raymond Village Library. Sourced from The Windham Eagle (n.d.).
Radical trust in libraries is a philosophy that emphasizes deep confidence in patrons’ ability to use library resources and spaces responsibly (Ashikuzzaman, 2024). As libraries evolve into community hubs offering much more than just books, they rely on this trust to successfully provide new services. An example of this would be the lending of non-traditional items like pots and pans, toys, tools, knitting kits, or fishing poles in regions like the Honeoye Library in the Finger Lakes, where people fish year-round (Blair, 2013). By enabling users to take ownership of their library experience through a newfound sense of accountability, libraries can actually transform into dynamic community hubs. By doing so, their patrons will feel more valued and more likely to actively contribute to the library’s future success and prosperity (Ashikuzzaman, 2024).
Creating Dynamic and Inclusive Spaces
Radical trust can also be found within the implementation of programs such as makerspaces. In these programs, users are often given access to expensive equipment or digital resources requiring proper care and safekeeping, while they explore various emerging technological tools like digital cameras (Stephens, 2010). However, how is one to know if they have any interest in, let’s say, photography or filmmaking without access to the right tools necessary for the endeavor? Trusting one’s library to provide access to such high-end equipment through the means of makerspaces allows users to actually know if a particular hobby will stick before spending loads of money on such expensive gear (Griggs, n.d.).
3D Scanning at the Castlewood Makerspace. Sourced from the Arapahoe Libraries (2023).
Building Trusted User-Centered Services
As librarians, it is essential for us to trust our users to responsibly manage borrowed items and respect library spaces. Through this trust, we can build a positive atmosphere where patrons view the library as a collaborative space rather than a restrictive one, thus strengthening the relationship between the institution and the community. By trusting them, we will be able to reduce unnecessary barriers and truly improve their user experience, as well as our own. An example of this mutual sense of trust and respect can be found with the rise of self-checkout services.
SFPL Book Stop on Treasure Island. Sourced from SF.gov (2023, March).
One notable example of such radical trust in action is the implementation of self-checkout systems, like the San Francisco Public Library’s first book kiosk, the SFPL Book Stop, which not only reduces the need for staff intervention but also allows users to manage their borrowing activities independently. The success of self-checkout systems is evident in their widespread adoption and positive user feedback from those who appreciate the increased control over their borrowing practices as they waste less time standing in long lines at the circulation desk (Bibliotheca, n.d.).
Balancing Trust with Structure
However, trust does not mean a lack of structure. Clear guidelines and education on proper usage of these resources are essential to maintaining a healthy library-user relationship. Just as @Michael mentioned in The Transparent Library 2 (2007), rather than timidly avoiding patrons misusing library resources, our focus should remain on open communication and the continuous reinforcement of existing policies in lieu of banning the trusted service due to a few unpleasant users breaking the rules.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez. Sourced from Unsplash (2018, April).
Reflection
As a future information professional, incorporating radical trust, for me, involves examining and addressing my own mental limitations and trust issues. Having witnessed others damaging resources or misusing library services in the past, unfortunately, I’m uncomfortable placing confidence in others’ ability to act responsibly without my close supervision. I even feel this way towards some family members. However, I realize this mindset is damaging to all, including myself, and can strongly limit any potential for innovation and community engagement. Moving forward, I will have to address these personal barriers in order to create an open and participatory environment where users are truly empowered to take ownership of their experiences within the ultimate library space.
References
Ashikuzzaman, M. (2024). Community engagement in libraries. LIS Education Network. https://www.lisedunetwork.com/community-engagement-in-libraries/
Bibliotheca. (n.d.). Why self-checkout is a game changer for libraries. https://www.bibliotheca.com/insights-trends-why-self-checkout-is-a-game-changer-for-libraries/
Blair, E. (2013). Beyond books: Libraries lend fishing poles, pans and people. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2013/08/13/211697593/beyond-books-libraries-lend-fishing-poles-pans-and-people
Casey, M., E. & Stephens, M. T. (2007). Ask for what you want. In The Transparent Library 2. Library Journal. https://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/TheTransparentLibrary2.pdf
Griggs, M. B. (n.d.). Libraries are great at lending all sorts of things—not just books. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/checking-out-tools-and-telescopes-local-libraries-180952662/
Schmidt, A. (2013). Earning trust: The user experience. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Innovation/earning-trust-the-user-experience
Stephens, M. T. (2010). The hyperlinked school library: Engage, explore, celebrate. Tame The Web. https://tametheweb.com/2010/03/02/the-hyperlinked-school-library-engage-explore-celebrate/
Hi!
I just want to say that this was a great post! It really shows how libraries have evolved to be more user friendly at least since I was a child. I remember going to the library with my grandmother, getting a book, and leaving.
I am going to expand on your reflection… before I became a library assistant, I was a teacher. It took me probably around a year to even trust that patrons were genuine in their interactions with me. As a teacher, parent and student interactions took a toll on me.
It took a little bit of therapy and a lot of positive self talk to understand that you get what you put in as far as relationships go. I told my therapist I was having trust issues as well with patrons and she helped me to understand that it is okay to trust people.
I have now been here almost 3 years and find that I have built a lot of genuine, caring relationships with patrons.
I have a unique situation as I have a daughter in the school district where I work. I also work with children and their families. These children enjoy hanging out with my child at school and so my two worlds collide. I have created a lot of meaningful relationships with teachers during outreach and have even invited families into my home for birthday parties / vice versa. It feels a little Hallmark-y to say I have such a profound sense of community where I am but it is very true and I am happy to have the trust and sense of belonging in the community where I work and live.
Hi Carlee,
I really appreciate your insight and learning about your personal experiences as both a teacher and school library assistant. I absolutely loved reading about your progress on letting go of the trust issues. I don’t find it Hallmark-y at all; after all, those films are somewhat based on reality, albeit a very little amount lol. It’s really awesome to know that you’ve been able to develop such genuine relationships with your patrons through an intertwined work and personal life.
I can completely understand that it takes time and lots of positive self-talk (as you mentioned) to build such real relationships. But if that doesn’t work for me, then I’ll definitely try therapy to build that trust.
Loved your comment :))
Sincerely,
Kiana
@kianapouya, great post design and content! Also, thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings so honestly. I hope you’re able to achieve your personal goal someday and flourish because of it.
One of the most “radical” of the radical trust practices I’ve seen is the Open+ system in Gwinnett County Public Library (GCPL). I found it awesome that the library incorporated patron input when designing the service; I also love how the librarians were placing their trust in the community, and the community proved worthy of that trust by 1) protesting any negative impact on library staff with automated services, and 2) causing no real security issues thus far. It’s a great example of what GCPL’s director said about starting with trust and letting everything else follow (https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2019/09/03/automatic-people-self-service-libraries/).
Thank you, Valancy! I appreciate that :)) I absolutely agree with you regarding how libraries placing their trust into their community will naturally come back full circle to the community to now place their trust and love into their local library and dedicated librarians.
Although I wasn’t aware of it while writing assignment X until after I saw it on our homepage, but the GCPL’s Open+ system is another amazing example of radical trust which still protects itself with “a significant array of security cameras.”
But it really sets the stage and is a fantastic prototype for more U.S. libraries to follow suit, and emulate the exemplary examples set by so many European libraries in automated and self-service operations. However, the change needs to clearly communicated with patrons (as is evidenced by Scott County Library’s patron fallout), who need to understand that self-service is not going to cut library staff but free them up for better, more important work.
But, I can totally understand why some patrons are concerned with self-service, since it tends to be used by major corporations to cut down their costs and replace human connection and service with that of Artificial Intelligence, which is understandably of grave concern for many people around the world.
You’re welcome, @kianapouya! The security cameras are a nice compromise. I completely agree with you on being transparent with patrons, especially if it assuages any of their fears for themselves or their librarians. I love interacting with patrons and having a mini community hub at my tiny (basically microscopic, if we’re being honest) branch–it’s good to know that patrons value those interactions as well! Thank you for your thoughtful insights.