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The graphic above pictures the Design Thinking for Libraries process from getting started to getting to scale, and the Toolkit features tips to help you work through each phase in between. Meanwhile, this supplementary Tools section offers additional resources to inspire you along the way.

 

GETTING STARTED

 
 
Explore the Knight Foundation’s work on understanding Innovation in Libraries, and take their assessment quiz to see if you are ready for an innovation project.

Explore the Knight Foundation’s work on understanding Innovation in Libraries, and take their assessment quiz to see if you are ready for an innovation project.

The Stanford d.school has a set of tools to get you started with design thinking: content cards, furniture plans, visuals aids & a little music.

The Stanford d.school has a set of tools to get you started with design thinking: content cards, furniture plans, visuals aids & a little music.

We have written up a set of concepts for workshops that can help you get started!

We have written up a set of concepts for workshops that can help you get started!

We curated a reading list with sources to explore a variety of points of view around Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, Service Design, and Innovation.

We curated a reading list with sources to explore a variety of points of view around Design Thinking, Human-Centered Design, Service Design, and Innovation.

 
Explore the toolkit and frameworks co-created by Richland Public Library and Margaret Sullivan Studio. They also designed these charming zines to illustrate their process.

Explore the toolkit and frameworks co-created by Richland Public Library and Margaret Sullivan Studio. They also designed these charming zines to illustrate their process.

 
 

INSPIRATION

 
 
The process of defining your design project can be the most challenging step. In addition to our Activities workbook, the Design Kit has some helpful advice.

The process of defining your design project can be the most challenging step. In addition to our Activities workbook, the Design Kit has some helpful advice.

 
In this tutorial you can learn about what analogous inspiration is and how to plan and conduct this kind of research for your Design Thinking project.

In this tutorial you can learn about what analogous inspiration is and how to plan and conduct this kind of research for your Design Thinking project.

Listen in as design researcher Julka Almquist interviews a patron about the printing system in a library. There is also an introduction to the interview and a debrief.

Listen in as design researcher Julka Almquist interviews a patron about the printing system in a library. There is also an introduction to the interview and a debrief.

 
Here you can read about an inspiration tour at Next Library Berlin led by designer and researcher Julka Almquist. This is a way to get your team inspired for a Design Thinking project (or in general).

Here you can read about an inspiration tour at Next Library Berlin led by designer and researcher Julka Almquist. This is a way to get your team inspired for a Design Thinking project (or in general).

 
 

IDEATION

 
 
Uncertainty is a big part of the Design Thinking process, and that can feel uncomfortable when you first start. This video from IDEO.org explains the value of ambiguity.

Uncertainty is a big part of the Design Thinking process, and that can feel uncomfortable when you first start. This video from IDEO.org explains the value of ambiguity.

In the Design Thinking process, Journey Mapping can be a useful tool for helping you move from generating ideas in the inspiration phase to finalizing a concrete design plan. Here you can read an example of how Journey Mapping was applied in Brazili…

In the Design Thinking process, Journey Mapping can be a useful tool for helping you move from generating ideas in the inspiration phase to finalizing a concrete design plan. Here you can read an example of how Journey Mapping was applied in Brazilian Libraries.

Watch a team of IDEO designers conduct a brainstorm to help model what the process will be like. See how they set up the brainstorm and explore wild ideas.

Watch a team of IDEO designers conduct a brainstorm to help model what the process will be like. See how they set up the brainstorm and explore wild ideas.

See an example of how simple and useful prototyping can be. All you need is a great idea, and some materials that you already have around your library!

See an example of how simple and useful prototyping can be. All you need is a great idea, and some materials that you already have around your library!

 
 

ITERATION

 
 
The Stanford d.school has created a useful guide to help you plan and test your prototypes. Prototyping can happen early in a project, or it can be done as a larger scale pilot.

The Stanford d.school has created a useful guide to help you plan and test your prototypes. Prototyping can happen early in a project, or it can be done as a larger scale pilot.

Once you start sharing prototypes with library patrons, you’ll need to interview them to get feedback. The Activities Workbook has a helpful guide for this process.

Once you start sharing prototypes with library patrons, you’ll need to interview them to get feedback. The Activities Workbook has a helpful guide for this process.

 
 

GETTING TO SCALE

 
 
A Design Thinking team from the Chicago Public Library created a video of their final project presentation. It provides an example of how to structure your story.

A Design Thinking team from the Chicago Public Library created a video of their final project presentation. It provides an example of how to structure your story.

When you reach the end of a Design Thinking project, it is important to plan for the next stages. The Activities Workbook provides a helpful roadmapping exercise.

When you reach the end of a Design Thinking project, it is important to plan for the next stages. The Activities Workbook provides a helpful roadmapping exercise.