Assignment X: Thinking Outside the Books: The Hyperlinked Library Challenges Library Norms

In his paper, “Think Like a Startup,” Brian Mathews (2012) makes two statements that invite the reader to challenge library norms. He states, “while many of the services we provide are indeed essential to the academic mission, nothing says in stone that they must remain under our domain” (p. 2) and “Don’t limit your innovation to traditional library boundaries” (p. 5). These two statements inspired the idea for this blog. Both statements invite you to challenge the preconceived notions you have about what a library is and should be. It invites you to think outside of the box, or in this case, the books.

My Thoughts and Experiences with Innovative Library Services 

This idea of a library that goes beyond traditional library services stood out because it is a rather new idea to me. I am going to be honest and let everyone know that I rarely go to the library. My excuse is that my field of work is in archives. However, growing up I loved going to the library and my siblings and I would fill tote bags full of books on our visits. 

At the time, my local library offered what I would consider standard library services. You could sit in comfy chairs, use the computers, attend classes and storytimes, and participate in the summer reading challenge (this was very exciting to me as a kid). As an adult, these services no longer appeal to me. I can find these services elsewhere. I have a laptop with internet access. I take classes through SJSU and look for tutorials on YouTube when I want to learn something new. I study at the coffee shop with a matcha latte and when I need a book, I request it online and pick it up from the hold shelf.

As I read through our course readings and the examples of libraries implementing unique services, I kept thinking to myself, “wow, that’s a great idea!” and I felt the urge to visit the library. I suppose this is exactly the goal of what Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk describe as Library 2.0: a library that is able to draw in the non-users through services that appeal to them. Like Mathews (2012), Casey and Savastinuk (2007) invite you to think outside the books: “Don’t think of your library as being in a “library” box. What are your users doing elsewhere that they could be doing through your library?” (p. 34).

An example in our readings of a library thinking outside the books that appealed to me was “the Unquiet Library” at Creekview High School where students are welcome to participate in activities not typically associated with a quiet library such as eating, conversing, and playing video games (Mathews, 2010). This reminds me more of a coffee shop which is a popular spot for studying and working. I would be drawn to the library if it mimicked the atmosphere of a coffee shop and I think many others would be as well. 

Challenges and Opportunities

While I love the idea of unique library services, it begs the question, how will libraries provide more services with the same or with a lower budget than before? This is a challenge for most libraries. I think of my local library system, Hennepin County Library, who recently announced the potential reduction of hours in 2027 due to budget constraints (Hennepin County Library, 2026). I believe the answer to this question is that librarians have to be extra creative in utilizing the resources they have. I think you could look at this as an opportunity. In my experience, sometimes limited resources produce the most unique and creative ideas.

Libraries Thinking Outside the Books

To conclude this post, I’d like to include a couple examples of libraries that are thinking outside the books and providing unique library services to their patrons:

1. The Vinyl Revival Listening Room at Minneapolis Central Library (Minnesota): Patrons can listen to vinyl records in a dedicated space using equipment provided by the library (turntable, vinyl records, and headphones) (Hennepin County Library, n.d.). I learned about the listening room when staff from the Hennepin County Library visited the University I work at and did a presentation. It goes to show that outreach is beneficial in making library services known to people who do not visit the library. 
2. Wellbeing Pods in Leeds Libraries (UK): Patrons can access healthcare services at several Leeds library locations (Robinson, 2023). I learned about this service while doing research in INFO200 (Information Communities). Unfortunately, it’s not very clear whether these Wellbeing Pods are still operating. I cannot find information on the Leeds Libraries website. 

References 

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

Hennepin County Library. (n.d.).  Vinyl revival listening room. https://www.hclib.org/about/locations/vinyl-revival-room  

Hennepin County Library. (2026, August 6). Library hours changing in 2027. https://www.hclib.org/about/news/2026/August/library-hours-changing-in-2027 

Mathews, B. (2010, June 21). Unquiet library has high-schoolers geeked. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2010/06/21/unquiet-library-has-high-schoolers-geeked/ 

Mathews, B. (2012). Think like a startup. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/77d2cb98-ddab-4543-9e47-b011819231b3/content 

Robinson, S. (2023, July 26). Chance to check in as city’s libraries host pioneering wellbeing pods. Leeds City Council. https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/chance-to-check-in-as-citys-libraries-host-pioneering-wellbeing-pods