How do you involve library users and staff in the space design process?

1 Engage users and staff early

One of the first steps in the space design process is to engage your users and staff in identifying the problems, goals, and opportunities for improvement in your current or planned space. You can use various methods to collect their input, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, or observation. The key is to ask open-ended questions that elicit their opinions, experiences, and expectations. For example, you can ask them what they like and dislike about the space, what they use it for, what they need or want from it, and how they feel in it.

2 Co-design solutions with users and staff

After you have gathered and analyzed the input from your users and staff, you can invite them to co-design solutions with you. Co-design is a collaborative and creative process that involves generating, prototyping, and testing ideas with the participation of the end-users. You can use various tools and techniques to facilitate co-design, such as brainstorming, sketches, models, scenarios, or mock-ups. The benefit of co-design is that it allows you to tap into the diverse perspectives, skills, and knowledge of your users and staff, and to ensure that the solutions are relevant, feasible, and desirable for them.

3 Communicate and iterate with users and staff

The space design process does not end with the implementation of the solutions. You need to communicate and iterate with your users and staff throughout the process, and even after the completion of the project. Communication means informing them about the progress, challenges, and outcomes of the space design process, and inviting them to provide feedback and suggestions. Iteration means revising and refining the solutions based on the feedback and evaluation results. Communication and iteration help you to maintain the engagement and trust of your users and staff, and to ensure that the space design is responsive and adaptable to their changing needs and preferences.

4 Recognize and celebrate users and staff

Finally, you need to recognize and celebrate your users and staff for their involvement and contribution to the space design process. Recognition means acknowledging and appreciating their efforts, insights, and ideas, and showing how they have influenced the final outcome. Celebration means creating opportunities to share and enjoy the new or improved space with them, and to highlight its benefits and impacts. Recognition and celebration help you to foster a sense of ownership, pride, and satisfaction among your users and staff, and to encourage them to continue using and supporting the space.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?