“Changes call for innovation, and innovation leads to progress.” – Li Keqiang
Arapahoe Libraries has partnered with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, opens a new window to host a first-of-its-kind Library Innovation Challenge. The contest invites innovators to address a specific challenge: “How are physical library spaces being used, and how can we leverage this data to improve the patron experience?”
Unlike traditional request for proposal (RFPs), where the solution is predefined, the innovation challenge presents a problem and invites creative solutions, opening the door for any applicant to propose new ideas. Challenge winners will receive up to $25,000 in funding for Phase I and the opportunity to develop, test and scale the solution to the entire library district.
The proposal deadline is Dec. 18, 2024. Participants can learn more or submit a solution at libraryinnovationchallenge.org, opens a new window.
What inspired this challenge?
“Libraries today are much more than just books; they are vibrant community spaces offering access to information, technology and a variety of services,” said Oli Sanidas, Arapahoe Libraries executive director. “Arapahoe Libraries has continually evolved to meet the community’s needs. The main obstacle we face from a data perspective is that we lack tools to tell us how patrons are using library space. Currently, we track things like visitor numbers, meeting room reservations and checkouts. However, those measures don’t necessarily paint the full picture. For example, we don’t know how often materials are browsed without being checked out, or how moving a service desk may encourage people to ask for help.”
“The Library Innovation Challenge aims to create a more holistic view of library usage and allow us to be more data-driven and adaptive. This data and other factors could help inform our strategy, including asset allocation, space layout and future renovations. We are excited to partner with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance to open this question to the broader community. By taking this approach, we could discover opportunities we were missing or spark ideas that we hadn’t considered before,” Sanidas said.
Partnership with Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
This is not the first time Arapahoe Libraries has partnered with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, the first statewide alliance of its kind, opens a new window in the nation. The Alliance brings together public, private, federal research and academic sector leaders committed to advancing smarter communities. It has facilitated some of the most innovative government technology projects, opens a new window in the state.
“We know the value of partnerships in driving innovation and creating impactful solutions for our community. The Alliance has helped us build fruitful relationships, as with technology startup Snowbotix and the Blind Institute of Technology, who have helped us improve accessibility. This challenge marks a new step in our journey toward greater innovation and collaboration, helping us fulfill our mission of being the best public library for our communities,” Sanidas said.
