Intentional Innovation Rooted in Values
This week, we turn our focus to how we plan for and implement emerging technologies in libraries and information environments. With so many new tools and platforms arriving seemingly overnight, it can be tempting to chase the shiny and new without taking the time to reflect on the “why.”
In Taming Technolust, I wrote about the need to slow down and thoughtfully consider our decisions around technology. It’s not just about excitement or the next cool gadget—it’s about aligning every decision with our library’s mission, values, and the needs of our users. We’ve seen what happens when technolust takes the wheel: rushed projects, staff confusion, underused tools, and missed opportunities to actually serve.
Thoughtful technology planning means letting go of rigid control and embracing collaboration across the organization. It means staying curious about emerging trends while staying rooted in evidence and ethics. It also means recognizing when it’s time to sunset a tool that’s not working—and not being afraid to say, “this didn’t serve us well.”
In this module, we’ll explore what it means to approach technology with intention. We’ll think about trendspotting as a skill, about involving users in the planning process, and about how to support staff with meaningful learning opportunities. We’ll also talk about what it takes to plan openly and transparently, avoiding the pitfalls of behind-the-scenes decisions and instead fostering shared ownership of the tools we choose to use.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about moving forward with purpose.
The Action Brief
Start with an idea and express your goals as an “Action Brief.” An action brief is a framing statement used in planning that includes who we want to convince about a service or product, how we will do it, and what the service will be that makes the change. Ideas in the form of action briefs can create a starting point for a new service or plan. John Bellina and Tasso Stathopulos from the Denver marketing firm Ricochet Ideas helped create the Anythink brand for Rangeview Library System. They helped transform services such as the Anythink summer reading program through disruptive innovation by starting with a simple statement about turning summer reading “on its ear.” 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}.
Lecture Recording
Things to Read
- Stephens, M. (2016). Holding us back. In The Heart of Librarianship, page 9.
- Stephens, M. (2019). “Speak of the Devil” in Wholehearted Librarianship, p. 70
- Stephens, M. (2016). “Scanning the Horizon” in The Heart of Librarianship, p. 37
- Stephens, M. (2019). “Adopt or Adapt?” in Wholehearted Librarianship, p. 34
- Stephens, M. (2019). “Gifts of this hour” in Wholehearted Librarianship, p. 89
- Older but Useful Resources
- Stephens, M. (2004). Technoplans vs. technolust.
- Casey, M., & Stephens, M. (2008). Measuring progress.
- Stephens, M. (2008). Taming technolust: Ten steps for planning in a 2.0 world.
Current Thinking:
- Barbakoff, A. & Lenstra, N. (2024). Working Hand in Hand – How to conduct community-led planning
- American Libraries Magazine. (2022). Special Report: Toward an Equitable Digital Future.
- SFPL Strategic Plan (2024).
Things to View
Things to Explore
- Ford, A. (2018). Adulting 101
- Madison Public Library (2019). The Bubbler.
- Edson, M.P. (2022). “Forget Innovation,” Twitter thread from Michael Edson.
- Liu, Y.Q. and Lewis, S. (2023). Services to Mobile Users.
- Tynan-Wood, C. (2023). iPads in the Classroom: The Promise and the Problems.
Photo: Aarhus Museum of Art