The Carnegie Library Lab aims to promote innovation and leadership in libraries across the UK and Ireland. It provides funding, training, mentorship and evaluation support to early to mid-career library professionals to develop and implement innovative projects. The two-year program has supported two cohorts of 5-7 innovators each, providing £5,000-£15,000 per project. Participants receive online learning modules, build professional networks, and work with mentors and advisors to reflect on outcomes. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of library innovators and leaders, pilot innovative services, and share learning to advance the field.

1. Carnegie Library Lab
Douglas White, Head of Advocacy
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2. Wellbeing since 1913
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3. 600+ libraries across the UK
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4. Central libraries for students
Rural library service
Professional librarianship course
Specialist schemes for blind,
seafarers, sailors
New library services
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5. Innovation and libraries
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6. 6

7. ‘Let there be light’
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8. ‘Let there be light’
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9. A New Chapter
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10. 1. How important do you think public libraries
are as a service to the community?
Comparative data on libraries
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11. 2. How important are public libraries to you personally?
Comparative data on libraries
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12. 1. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”
Supporting innovation –
Who said it?
3. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”
2. “I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn
how to do it”
3. “There’s gotta be a way. He who dares wins”
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13. Carnegie Library Lab
• Aim:
• Innovation and leadership
• UK and Republic of Ireland
• Early to mid career individuals
• 3 years: 2014-2016
• 2 cohort with 5-7 individuals per cohort
• Package: What does an innovator need?
1. Online learning programme
2. Innovative idea
3. Network
4. Support
5. Evaluation
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14. 1. Stimulus – online learning
• INELI (Bill and
Melinda Gates
Foundation)
• Modules
• Mix of materials
• Learning guide
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15. 2. Money - innovative idea
• £5,000-£15,000
• “Innovation”
• Bring your own definition!
• Building and space
• Service delivery
• Activity/service
• Partnerships
• Need, legacy & feasibility
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16. 3. Network – peer support
• Face-to-face
• Online
• Informal
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17. 4. Support - guidance
• Learning Guide
• Mentors
• Sponsors
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18. 5. Evaluation - reflecting
• Data
• Interviews
• Focus groups
• Outcomes
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19. Programme legacy
• Cohort of new innovators and leaders
• Online learning programme for adoption
• Innovative projects that can developed and
shared
• Evaluation and learning
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20. Next steps
• Application process ran Sept 2014
• 80 high quality applications
• Advisory Group selection
• Winners announced soon
• Programme runs 18 months & next
round spring 2016
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21. 1. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”
Thomas Edison
Who said it?
3. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower”
Steve Jobs
2. “I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn
how to do it”
Pablo Picasso
4. “There’s got to be a way. He who dares wins”
Del Boy, Only Fools and Horses
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22. Twitter: @DW_CarnegieUK
Email: douglas@carnegieuk.org
Web: www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/home
Contact
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