‘Design thinking toolkit for libraries’ released

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Aarhus Public Libraries has announced the release of the Design Thinking Toolkit for Libraries. The toolkit can be used by any front-line library staffer to adapt to library users’ changing needs.

Chicago Public Libraries and Aarhus Public Libraries worked with design company IDEO to find out how design thinking methods might best be adapted and applied to a library context. The final result is Design thinking for libraries, a comprehensive new resource for any library leader or staff member hoping to advance their library by using human-centred design methods.

The toolkit guides you through Design Thinking so you can start coming up with solutions to everyday challenges within the library. Design thinking, or human-centred design, is all about starting with people — the users that visit your library. IDEO have been using similar methods to envision new products, services, spaces, and experiences in other business areas. IDEO created this toolkit specifically for the library setting in close cooperation with the project teams in Chicago and Aarhus.

The toolkit comes in two parts: the toolkit guide, and the accompanying activities workbook. If you don’t have much time then download the ”At-a-Glance-Guide” which introduces how you might get started using design thinking over the course of one day.

The toolkit is created with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – The Global Libraries initiative.