Here's how you can ignite creativity in your colleagues and staff members as a librarian.
Librarians are often seen as the custodians of knowledge, but they also play a pivotal role in fostering creativity amongst their colleagues and staff members. In a field that values organization and quiet contemplation, igniting a spark of originality can seem challenging. However, as a librarian, you have unique tools and opportunities at your disposal to inspire and encourage creative thinking. Whether it's through curating inspiring collections, facilitating engaging programs, or creating an environment conducive to innovation, you can turn your library into a hub of creativity.
Creating a physical environment that stimulates creativity is essential. As a librarian, you can arrange spaces that encourage collaboration and provide quiet areas for reflection. Incorporate comfortable seating arrangements, access to natural light, and inspiring artwork. A versatile space that accommodates workshops, brainstorming sessions, and individual research can make all the difference. By thinking beyond the traditional layout of rows of books and desks, you enable your colleagues and staff to think outside the box and feel more inclined to generate innovative ideas.
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At one university where I worked, the tech services staff were sequestered in a windowless basement. At the waterfront library where I worked, I was the only professional without a window view (because it was a secure archive). When you have spaces that are less than pleasing, it's important to create a positive environment, one that cultivates creativity, keeps you focused on your tasks, and fosters collaboration, whenever possible. Sometimes, there are limitations to how you can re-shape your workspace. In those cases, think about other ways to build a positive workspace. You should work with peers or colleagues if you share space to seek mutually agreeable solutions. Management should encourage ways to enhance work environments.
Play is a powerful catalyst for creativity. Introduce elements of play into the library by organizing team-building activities that involve problem-solving and creative thinking. These can include escape room challenges, scavenger hunts within the library, or even role-playing games that require strategic planning and imagination. The key is to make these activities relevant to library services, perhaps by weaving in literary themes or information literacy skills. By doing so, you not only break the monotony of daily routines but also foster a sense of camaraderie and open-mindedness.
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Play and creative activities have become an important part of library programming at many locations. Whether this is geared toward youth and young adult patrons, seniors, or students (in an academic setting), these activities bring people into the library and redefine our role. Whenever possible, staff-building activities should become part of the library routine. They should not be so common or predictable that they become rote and uninspiring, however. For example, at one academic library where I worked, each Asian New Year (Tet), I brought in a variety of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai treats. It became something people looked forward to each year. Cost is often a factor. Some of these fun events may be possible with outside funding.
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Start with your everyday work experiences! Normalizing group reference (multiple team members helping the same patron at the same time) is one of the best options to get great results for patrons and build teams that know how to fill in gaps in knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and safety. This is a particularly good idea if your team is newly formed, has a variety of work experience, knowledge, and life experiences. All that aside, it's a great way to make sure your patrons have the best experience and find the best resources available in a minimal amount of time. It can be challenging on a busy night to get more than one librarian working with the same patron, but when you can, it worth the effort.
A diverse collection of resources can spark new ideas and perspectives. Encourage your colleagues to explore various mediums such as graphic novels, multimedia presentations, or interactive e-books. Offer training sessions on using new technologies or databases that could inspire different approaches to information management or educational programming. By providing access to a wide range of materials and tools, you empower your staff to think differently and integrate these resources into their work, leading to more innovative library services.
Investing in the professional development of your colleagues can directly impact their creative output. Offer opportunities for staff to attend workshops, webinars, or conferences that focus on innovative library practices or emerging trends in information science. Facilitate in-house training sessions where staff can share their expertise and learn from each other. This not only updates their skill set but also creates a culture of continuous learning and curiosity, which is crucial for nurturing creativity.
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Professional growth should be a mandatory component in each library's budget. Often, however, it's hard to justify conferences in a world where there is a common (and incorrect) mindset that library staff should be unpaid, since we should all be volunteers because "we sit around and read books all day." Although academic librarians tend to have better opportunities for funding for professional growth, this isn't always the case. I worked at an academic institution in Florida that consistently denied opportunities to participate at state and national conferences, even though adjuncts were sometimes awarded these opportunities. If you work in a place that does not inspire creativity and you have mobility, please seek greener pastures.
Encourage collaborative projects that require creative solutions. Whether it's a community outreach program, redesigning the library's online presence, or developing new cataloging systems, working together on projects allows staff members to bounce ideas off each other and come up with inventive strategies. Collaboration also builds a sense of ownership and pride in their work, which can further motivate them to be creative in their roles.
Finally, it's important to foster an environment where reflection and adaptation are part of the creative process. Encourage your colleagues to review past projects and services to identify what worked well and what could be improved. This reflective practice not only enhances learning but also encourages a mindset willing to take risks and try new approaches. Adapting to change and learning from experiences are key elements in keeping the creative flames burning in any library setting.
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