Bootstrapping a Library Ideation Space: Creating a Low-Tech Student Collaboration Room

20 pagesThe Library was approached by the student-led University Innovation Fellows group to create a new interdisciplinary ideation space on campus. Based on Design Thinking principles, the student proposal was the creation of a low-to-no technology space that emphasized active learning through brainstorming, cross-disciplinary collaboration, fostering creativity, and idea generation and development. This new collaborative space would complement existing high-technology makerspaces and design labs already in place in the libraries and across campus. The proposed ideation space directly supported campus-wide innovation initiatives and the Library’s strategic plan to create and maintain experiential, flexible, and inspirational environments. In response to this proposal, the Library and student fellows formed a task force to research the basics behind design thinking and other ideation spaces found in libraries around the country. Project stipulations included remodeling an existing space to be shared with library staff and functions on a short timeline, limited budget, and restrictions that come with remodeling a historic building. The student group conducted a preliminary campus needs assessment through surveying undergraduate students on collaborative spaces. The task force decided to conduct focus groups with students and other stakeholders to understand their space needs and expectations, including furniture recommendations. The project also required changes to library room policies, operational changes for the staff space, and designing metrics to be used to later assess the project. This poster will address how ideation spaces can be implemented in academic libraries of varying sizes due to their focus on low-to-no technology needs and relatively small funding