Jennifer Bousquet, Tiffany Piper, and Melissa Tamayo
SP18: INFO-232 Sec 11 - Issues in Public Libraries
Analysis: Putting Garmer's Theories Into Practice
The Tracy branch of the Stockton-San Joaquin county library system has undergone changes in their branch. Recently the library had an open call for published authors for a community publication and book fair and has made badly needed repairs to infrastructure. These two items are an example of how Tracy Library is using some of the tenants in Amy Garmer’s works, "Libraries in the Exponential Age," and “Rising to the Challenge” both which are available free to read through The Aspen Institute.
Image Source: Tracy Press
Libraries in the Exponential Age
Race and ethnicity breakdown of Stockton California.
Information from 2010 census
Let’s begin with an evaluation of the Tracy Library by looking at Amy Garmer's "Libraries in the Exponential Age." For the purpose of brevity, we will only look at one of the lessons from this study and compare it to the programs already in place within the Tracy branch.
Michelle Ha Tucker, Portfolio Director at IDEO “identified three reasons why public libraries may be exceptionally well suited to adapt design thinking to creating ecosystems for innovation within the institution and the community at large”(2016). Let’s use these ideas to evaluate how Tracy Library is using innovation within their library.
1. "Libraries are a living lab. They have space dedicated with a steady stream of users to observe, ask questions of and experiment with on a day to day basis. They allow for live prototypes, short cycles of experimentation and co-creation."
The Tracy Library, although small is making an effort to use their space for innovative classes that will appeal to many different types of patrons. These experiences create space for users to ask questions, “experiment” with different tasks and information. There are many classes and programs including standard library programs like:
Story time: Baby, Preschool, and School-Age
Homework Help: K-12 Students
Age group appropriate book clubs: Kids, Teen, ETC
The library also has some specialty programs and classes including:
Specialty craft days for holidays. This month they’re hosting a Mother’s Day crafting day
“Caregivers College” which are special classes on how to care for elderly or ailing people as well as how to reach out to community resources for caregiver aid.
Conversation Club: A place for those learning English to practice in a non-judgmental and casual atmosphere.
2. Librarians are great service designers. Librarians know the community best. “If there’s anyone who is well-suited to evolve what a library is and address the needs that are out there, it is the librarians themselves.”
The Tracy Library carries collections and materials in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Punjabi. These are the languages primarily spoken in the area, which shows how well the library knows their community, and understands that these foreign language materials are valued.
Tracy should consider adding materials in Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. According to the 2010 census, The Five largest Asian groups in Stockton County are 7.2% Filipino, 3.5% Cambodian, 2.1% Vietnamese, 2.0% Hmong, 1.8% Chinese. Although they’ve made an effort to incorporate some languages into their branch, they should have more languages available to represent the other groups living with their county.
The Tracy Library has created some programs specific to their community members. For example, there is a high Hispanic population so there are language meetings so members can practice English in a stress free zone. There are also adult literacy programs, GED preparation, and a listing of all community organization for adult education.
Image Source: Tracy Press
Image Source: City-Data.com
3. Libraries are networked community infrastructure. "The best solutions that arise from design thinking are highly systemic."
The Tracy Library is connected will all of the other libraries in the Stockton-San Joaquin valley. This allows for branches to share resources with each other. The library branches also diversify their programs to each location. Although there is some overlap between the branches, each branch certainly has its own flavor and special community-specific programs.
Rising to the Challenge
Below is the 15 Action Steps for Library Leaders outlined in Amy Garmer’s "Rising to the Challenge.” I’ve broken down how (if at all) The Tracy Library has met these goals, as well as added in improvements to existing programs or recommendations for new ones.