The document discusses the changing role of libraries in a digital world. It argues that libraries should focus on serving end users by addressing their real needs and problems, rather than focusing on technology or library-centric problems. Libraries need to embrace innovation, partner with their communities, and shift away from traditional print-based services to remain relevant. The future of libraries relies on understanding users, engaging them through new experiences, and cultivating learning and interaction both in-person and online.

1. Innovation and LibrariesWhat is at the Heart of Libraries?Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLACASLIS Event: London ONFeb. 4, 2010

2. Extended Slides available soonat Stephen’s Lighthouse blog: http:stephenslighthouse.com

8. The BIG Insight“The Internet has now progressed to its infancy”Search, Social Networks, Learning, Commerce

13. What Are Libraries Really For?Economic Impact – ($6.50 per $1, workforce preparedness, industrial attraction, quality of life, etc.)Equity (digital divide, integrating population growth, generations, etc.)Student Performance (up to 25 point increase)Competitive Advantage (Canada, EC, India, China, etc.)Hospitals, military, government, R&D, special . . .Social GlueCommunityLearningInteraction

14. How Do You Capture Ideas? Culture?And Cultivate and Nurture Them?

16. Is it all about technology?

17. You can’t wait for everyone to change at once.

18. Bricks, Clicks and Tricks

19. Are we going to a totally build it yourself world?Imagine IKEA merging with GM...

22. Newspapers: Assemble them yourself.Re-imagine the textbook, coursepack, etc.What about entertainment? Recreation?

23. Yes, this is ancient marketing/sales wisdom: they aren't buying your hammer, they are buying the deck of their dreams. Help them build it.

24. Will Reading Matter?Are your staff confusing books and reading?Audiobooks, Cengageand eBooks . . . And Google

25. http://www.flickr.com/photos/keeping-it-real/160822516/

26. What does your best borrowed report look like?Is your Community different?http://www.flickr.com/photos/blu_blue/262096844/in/pool-booksandportraits

27. What does your book and article or website recommendation blog/RSS feed look like?Who is your star recommender?http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthk/2054262239/

28. How do your community contentreviews do?Who is your best teen reviewer?http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjanebuy/340249608/in/pool-booksandportraits

29. How are your web based communities doing?How many dozen are there?http://www.flickr.com/photos/mthiesson/176153663/

30. Do your users like your video author interviews?Your YouTube DVD trailers?http://www.flickr.com/photos/lori_an/319433801/

31. Do you offer podcasts?Do you record every story time?Every lecture?

32. Are you making sense of your collections in a community context?BiblioCommons

33. ChiliFresh

34. LibraryThing for Libraries

35. SOPAC, VuFind, Endeca, etc.

36. Delicious

37. Digg

38. YouTubehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/lori_an/319433802/in/photostream/

39. Can you circulate books from anywhere? Like the parking lot, lecture hall, classroom, sidewalk sale, or nursing home?http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_mistress/525385533/

40. How mobile are you?http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_mistress/525385511/

41. The thing about success, is that it’s not about things.Or 2.0 Technology

42. Make a list of your last 10 projects. Now describe them in terms that they only solved an end user problem – NOT a library problem.By any chance do youprioritize your needs overend users?

43. What problems do you solve?Are they librarian or end user problems?

44. Draw a 1 to 7 scale.1___2___3___4___5___6___7Plot all initiatives on it.One: Solves end-user problems from the end user’s perspectiveSeven: Solves library staff problems and pain points?

45. What do libraries want?RelevanceMaking a Difference

47. Can you describe end user pain points and dreams and desires in their terms?What are their real goals?Search results? HA HAHA!

48. Observe Your Users

50. NO

51. OK – Now let’s ask ourselves what our users really, REALLY want.

52. Self-Service Web Portal

53. NO

54. Context is King, not Content.

55. Do we truly understand their goals?

56. Can we at least agree that they don’t want whiz bang widgets, gadgets, shiny new tools or any other raw technology?Unless it addresses a human needLet’s address the human condition.

57. What Favours Rapid Adoption?Relative AdvantageCompatibilityComplexityTrialabilityObservabilityComfort

58. Discovery & Ideas

66. The Future DiscoveredStem CellsfMRI and The BrainCloningWind and other energyNanotechnologyRoboticsBook DigitizationMusicStreaming MediaSeed Bank

68. Eye Movement Changes

69. Learning StylesVisual/Spatial (Picture Smart)Verbal/Linguistic (Word Smart)Musical/Rhythmic (Music Smart)Logical/Mathematical (Number Smart)Bodily/Kinesthetic (Body Smart)Interpersonal (People Smart)Intrapersonal (Self Smart)Piaget, Bloom, Gardner, etc.

72. Diabetes OnlineYes, Stephen did just say Lizard Spit

73. Luck / Opportunity

74. Community

75. Conversations

76. Relationships

77. Community Networks

78. Life

79. Alerts

80. Connection

81. Personalization

82. Personalization

83. Personalization

84. I am unique.Understand me.It’s personal.

85. Don’t limit me!Who are you to limit me?

86. How many dead ends in your library?On your website?In your OPAC?

90. Comfort

91. Simplicity

92. Learning

93. LiteracyNews literacyTechnology literacyInformation literacyMedia literacyAdaptive literacyResearch literacyAcademic literacyEtc.Reading literacyNumeracyCritical literacySocial literacyComputer literacyWeb literacyContent literacyWritten literacy

94. Play

96. Growing up from books,Extending the experience

97. Where and When They Want It

101. Who Are Your Staff Stars?Do Your Users Know Their Names?

102. Information Engagement LevelsStimulate/LivePresent/TeachArgue/DefendAct on/ DiscussRead/ViewDr. Thomas DavenportEnergy & Engagement

103. CultureConservation and Protection

104. Progress

106. These are exciting times.Choose between achieving a dynamic and exciting future vision or longing for a nostalgic past.

107. What is at the heartof libraries?LearningInteractionCommunityInnovationPassionProgress

108. No Quick Fixes

111. What’s Your Experience Look Like?

112. What’s Your Experience Look Like?

113. What’s Your Experience Look Like?

115. Is it Frozen in Time?

116. Can libraries keep up with change?

117. Can libraries keep up with change?Of course we can!

118. The BIG Assumption“The Internet has now progressed to its infancy”Search, Social Networks, Learning, Commerce

119. The Next 17 Slides“Detail that can be reviewed later online”

121. & AMAZON

122. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nessman/2590572476/

123. http://www.flickr.com/photos/briansolis/2735401175/

125. TheSharingEconomy

126. “Web 2.0 generally refers to a second generation of services available on the WWW that lets people collaborate and share information online.” WikipediaShared Pictures = Shared Knowledge =Shared Bookmarks =Shared News = Shared Videos =Shared Everything =

127. Get Good at The Cloud

129. Be Where Your Users Are

130. Credit: Lorcan Dempsey

131. http://heyjude.wordpress.com/2006/09/01/music-inspires-library-20-matrix/

137. What are the Real Challenges?Scalability (and this doesn’t mean web scale)Retreading our colleagues - quicklyPrejudice about users & Disrespect of usersDemographic Mosaic ChangeLack of Accountability and Urgency to ActDemand for Reproducibility and ProofsCoordination and SharingVisionLeadershipFinancial Resources (excuse vs. reason)

138. The BIG PICTURE ChangesWhat is at the core of usability?(Hint – It’s not about clickthroughs.)

139. http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=book+sculpture&page=44Are we ready for the post book world?

140. Can we get our heads out of book-centric experiences?

141. Inventing the FutureHow much time do you spend having a clear view of it?How is it shared with your colleagues and clients?

142. LibrariesCreating the Third Path…

143. What is the scariest scenario for libraries?I have an archaeology background . . .

145. Re-Energizing Libraries

146. Shift Number 1The Transmogrifying Book and Periodical

147. Shift Number 2Islands in the Stream: DVD, CD, and death thereof

148. Shift Number 3Smart Kids & Employees

149. Shift Number 4Mind Share and Libraries

150. Shift Number 5Bricks, Clicks and Tricks: Physical Space

151. Shift Number 6Social Libraries

152. Shift Number 7Partnerships, CollaborationsCooperation

153. Shift Number8An E-learning World

154. Shift Number9A Volatile WorldEspecially in Education and Research

155. Shift Number 10The Librarian as Expert Contact& Team Member

157. Vision Will Pull You There

158. What is at the heartof libraries?Is it you?

159. Stephen Abram, MLS, FSLAVP Strategic Partnerships and Markets Gale Cengage LearningCel: 416-669-4855stephen.abram@cengage.comhttp://gale.cengage.comStephen’s Lighthouse Bloghttp://stephenslighthouse.com