Design thinking

I just read an article in American Libraries called “Design Thinking”. In the article, Steven J. Bell argues that librarians need to become design thinkers. He discusses the IDEO method developed at that leading design firm. Librarians mediate information from source to users but we find ourselves redefining how we fit into this new information based world. The heart of design thinking is to understand the problems before thinking of solutions. Not only do we often fail to determine the feasibility of new technology applications but we fail to even consider if our users will even value the service. We fail to determine the actual problem before implementing a solution.

Bell summarizes the 5 steps of the IDEO method:

1. Understand-get to know your actual user population and how they perceive your services
2. Observe-your users, how they work, what confuses them, how their needs can be met
3. Visualize-brainstorm new ideas and concepts and how they will affect your users
4. Evaluate/Refine-prototyping is key, test and improve processes
5. Implement-this can be the longest and hardest part of the process

Even with limited resources this process can be used. Librarians can observe users in real life situations, engage them in discussion to ascertain useful data, and therefore take the first step in design thinking. By talking, identifying patterns, the design thinker can assess the gap between what exists and what needs to be done and come up with the solutions.

We need to create better library user experiences by engaging the people who use our libraries and helping them make a personal connection. Bell (2008) states, “as a profession we need to move beyond thinking of our primary product as just a commodity to which we offer access" (p. 47). Our commodity is information but we need to expand beyond just existing as a source of information.

We need to make users identify us as a learning experience. Possible solutions can range from simply identifying procedures that create barriers for users, developing social and cultural experiences, to creating community recognition through technology leadership and support.

Bell also recommends joining the Blended Librarians Online Learning Community and becoming a regular reader of the blog Designing Better Libraries. I am providing links for these under my Links list.

So what do you think? Do librarians need to become “Design Thinkers”?

Bell, S.J. (2008, January/February). Design Thinking. American Libraries, 39(1/2), 44- 49.