Beyond the Basics: Transforming Library Experiences Through Human-Centered Design

• Are you looking for ways to create exceptional customer experiences through innovation and creative problem-solving?
• Are you interested in human-centered design, but unsure how to apply it in practical ways at your library?

Design thinking is everywhere these days. There are tons of courses out there that can introduce you to human-centered design techniques - giving you just enough knowledge to understand why you should implement these new tools, but without showing you how to actually do it. This is not one of those courses! In "Beyond the Basics: Transforming Library Experiences Through Human-Centered Design," you'll not only put new tools in your toolbox, you'll learn how to use them to spark innovation and creativity within every level of your organization.

Through this course, you’ll learn to:

• Frame a design challenge (to be sure you’re solving the right problem)
• Conduct design research (to understand who you’re designing for)
• Use design tools (to get the most out of your design workshops)
• Find the flow (to personalize your approach to design)

We’ll also cover creating buy-in for human-centered design within your library, using the design thinking framework to unleash creativity across your organization (with low risk!), and overcoming common obstacles to success. Each participant will create an action plan for exploring their own design challenge and will receive individual feedback and guidance from the instructor.

Course Description: This course will include four 75-minute online meetings to be held:

• October 8, 10 AM – 11:15 AM Pacific
• October 15, 10 AM – 11:15 AM Pacific
• October 22, 10 AM – 11:15 AM Pacific
• October 29, 10 AM – 11:15 AM Pacific

The online sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend during the scheduled time.

In addition to the scheduled sessions, the instructor will provide examples, resources, best practices, and useful tips and techniques that can be applied as you seek to use design thinking at your library. During the course, you will participate in discussion forums, with an opportunity to share your experiences and questions, alongside others who are working to use design thinking, too. Through assignments, you will apply the concepts to your own library and community.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Framing Your Challenge
  • Target audiences
  • Problem statements
  • Persona development
  • Outcome visioning
• Week 2: Conducting Research
  • Stakeholder mapping
  • Directed storytelling
  • Service safaris
  • Empathy mapping
• Week 3: Using the Tools
  • Dot voting
  • Experience principles
  • Elevator pitches
  • Journey mapping
  • Ideation
  • Storyboarding
  • Service blueprinting
• Week 4: Finding the Flow
  • Materials
  • Workshop design
  • Facilitation tips
  • Sample workshops

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 3 hours per week, for a total of 12 course hours.

Who Should Take This Course: Ideal participants are library staff who have some basic familiarity with design thinking.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Are you a member of ARSL? If so, you may be able to sign up for a free seat in this course. Limit is five free seats per course. Make your request here and if a free seat is available you will be notified.

Keywords: human-centered design