As libraries face new technologies, shifting priorities, and ever-increasing competition for resources, they must learn to respond creatively to problems. You'll leave this active, hands-on session with activities and strategies you can take back to your library to make it a more creative organization (see handout for more).
4. KNOW THE NOVICE: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “find out how to find out” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 77-80
Franklin Lloyd Wright - Guggenheim (NYC)
5. KNOW THE NOVICE: PRINCIPLES
view situations with fresh eyes
(like a tourist)
focus on learning like a beginner
(not knowing like an expert)
6. KNOW THE NOVICE: EXAMPLE
Photo: “juggle” by jes reynolds (cc)
Innovation Boot Camp - Juggling
7. KNOW THE NOVICE: TWO SUGGESTIONS
Play ‘secret
library
shopper’
and observe
Learn an
entirely new
skill (become
a novice)
16. DROWN DISTRACTION: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “pause for thoughtlessness” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 107-109
Claude Monet and “Black mirrors”
27. ALTERNATIVE USE GAME: INSTRUCTIONS
➤Paper and pen
➤Choose one of the following objects:
➤Travel mug
➤Fly swatter
➤Sandals
➤Dinner plate
28. ALTERNATIVE USE GAME: INSTRUCTIONS
➤Brainstorm at least 12 alternative uses
for the object you selected
➤Time: 3 minutes
29. ALTERNATIVE USE GAME: DEBRIEF
➤Encourages examination of other
attributes (e.g. color, weight, shape)
➤Surfaces novel insights by forcing us to
think for non-traditional uses
32. MAKE IDEAS TANGIBLE: INTRO
Story source: IDEO “Shopping Cart Concept” ABC Nightline (1999)
IDEO: Shopping Cart Challenge
33. MAKE IDEAS TANGIBLE: PRINCIPLES
build or sketch rough ideas
(think with your hands)
push for tactile experiences
(stay away from abstract concepts)
34. MAKE IDEAS TANGIBLE: EXAMPLE
Photo: “Learnies Cereal Box Strategic Plan” by M.J. D’Elia (c)
Learnies Cereal Box
35. MAKE IDEAS TANGIBLE: TWO SUGGESTIONS
Build a
prototype with
craft materials
Brainstorm by
drawing
‘napkin
solutions’
36. “Art is not what you see,
but what you make
others see.
Edgar Degas, Impressionist painter
38. GO FOR EMOTION: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “leave an impression” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 81-82
Maya Lin: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
39. GO FOR EMOTION: PRINCIPLES
design how people should feel
(set policies and procedures aside)
turn ordinary into extraordinary
(push for more than functionality)
40. GO FOR EMOTION: EXAMPLE
Photo: “The Simpsons Movie - Trailer #2” by Michael Sauers (cc)
Shooting a “course trailer”
41. GO FOR EMOTION: TWO SUGGESTIONS
Discuss an
emotionally
relevant video
Share
extraordinary
experiences
42. “Better to be without
logic than without
feeling.
Charlotte Bronte, English novelist and poet
44. FLATTEN THE HIERARCHY: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “open your mind” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 103-106
Andy Warhol and his Open Studio
45. FLATTEN THE HIERARCHY: PRINCIPLES
consider all ideas
(regardless of the source)
germinate ideas at all levels
(ideas can come from anywhere)
53. OBSERVATION GAME: DEBRIEF
➤Distinguish between facts and
interpretation
➤Encourages slowing down and paying
attention to detail
➤Reveals larger patterns
56. ORGANIZATION GAME: INSTRUCTIONS
➤Draw a picture of the library’s
organization as you see it in your head.
Put yourself in the picture.
➤Time: 3 mins
60. BREAK ROUTINES: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “go from A to B via Z” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 232-234
Andy Warhol and his Open Studio
61. BREAK ROUTINES: PRINCIPLES
take the long route
(efficiency is not your friend)
alter your personal patterns
(all habits are bad)
66. MAINTAIN MOMENTUM: INTRO
Story source: Open IDEO “The Story of Doug Dietz: Creative Confidence in the MRI Suite” (2013)
Doug Dietz and his MRI Design
72. BE POSITIVE ABOUT NEGATIVES: INTRO
Story source: Rod Judkins “be positive about negatives” The Art of Creative Thinking, 2015, p. 29-30
Roy Liechtenstein
73. BE POSITIVE ABOUT NEGATIVES: PRINCIPLES
turn adversity into attention
(the status quo is not a story)
find truth in the criticism
(criticism really can be constructive)
75. BE POSITIVE ABOUT NEGATIVES: TWO SUGGESTIONS
Post negative
comments up
on the wall
Share and
celebrate
failure
regularly
76. “Success is the ability to go
from failure to failure
without losing your
enthusiasm.
Winston Churchill, British politician
77. Photo: “Green on black/black on orange” by jurek d. (cc)
KNOW THE
NOVICE
OBSERVE
OBSESSIVELY
DROWN
DISTRACTION
MAKE IDEAS
TANGIBLE
GO FOR
EMOTION
FLATTEN THE
HIERARCHY
BREAK
ROUTINES
MAINTAIN
MOMENTUM
BE
POSITIVE
78. Photo: “Green on black/black on orange” by jurek d. (cc)
If you aren’t in over your
head, how do you know
how tall you are?
T.S. Eliot
79. Photo: “Green on black/black on orange” by jurek d. (cc)
OPEN YOUR MIND,
OPEN YOUR LIBRARY
M.J. D’Elia | TXLA2016
mdelia@uoguelph.ca
@mjdelia