Fostering Creativity & Innovation in Your Staff

Frank Blair, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC)
Tom Kozak, Library Assistant, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC)
Tom Cole, Librarian, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC)
Paul de Villo, Web Services Manager, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC)

All of the speakers are from Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

Frank Blair:
About this library: Check: Does this match your library as well for its place in your community?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library is:
They are the largest provider of free internet service in their area
They are one of the very few places in the county where anyone can walk in
Annual foot traffic exceeds other cultural institutions, including the sports teams.

A new idea starts like this: There should be a site (system) that…..does this..
To make ideas happen, they set up a program for staff to take a 6 month break to work on the new projects that people suggest. The Technology Scholar system that they developed is a chance for staff to develop leadership opportunities for front-line staff. the program is designed to encourage staff to stretch their wings and provide leadership opportunities. Front-line staff are eligible since they have the most daily experience with the public, and this is important for successful outcomes. How did they find a way for staff to take time off? In their case, branches were closed for renovation, and staff were shifted around to allow for people to have time away to participate.

When they select candidates for this program, they look for individuals who have these qualities:

• question the status quo
• tolerate risk gladly
• exhibit patience
• trust the process
• are open to unexpected outcomes
• demonstrate an ability to “leverage resources”

Tom Kozak:
Make sure that you get access to everyone’s ideas. Share information with a wiki. They use a wiki for all of the projects for documentation. Link projects to intranet. Ideas are out there: everyday problems are the seeds for proposals. Broaden your applicant base: reach beyond your normal movers and shakers. Make it clear that you will provide them with the assistance to make the project happen. Provide guidance for working with your organizational structure, by providing project-building experience, strategies for innovation, resource availability.

Tom Cole:
Some projects that they have sponsored for staff: Technology Scholar, Hands-On Experience, Live Online Learning.
Here is the process they used:
- define your deliverable: You can do 1 thing only in a 6 month project; think about your project this way to use tax dollars wisely.
- understand costs: take into account all types of costs, such as time, IT staff time,** training costs
- listen to your testers: focus groups and others
- learn from mishaps in the testing phases
- implementation

Paul de Villo: sample projects from the Tech Scholar program
- The Digital Times – a newspaper-like project for after school students and home schools. 9not found on the web site today.
- the Gaming Zone
- Live Online Learning Project
- PLCMC Learn & Share Project – wiki-based intranet for staff

** they used web-based services to reduce reliance on staff time.