Recognizing innovation

An article by Stephen Abram, Recognizing Innovation gave 10 points on how to recognize innovation in libraries. A few include:

1. If the innovation/change makes you uncomfortable, then it is affecting you at a gut level, and therefore it is a real change.

2.Is the thing, idea, service, process disruptive, then it is most likely innovative, but this doesn't always mean it is good.

3.Does the idea come from inside the organization or from outside sources. Be open to new ideas and playfulness.

4.Does the innovation solve the problem, does it reduce friction or increase it, but don't confuse personal behavior with actual innovation that reduces fiction.

5. Innovation is not necessarily governed by technology, technology often advances change, but it is perceived by humans as worthwhile. Openness is the key to identifying innovations.

It is necessary for libraries to remain innovative to retain relevancy. I think most recognize this, but the big question is always, how to pay for it.

Abram, S. (2011). Recognizing innovation. Computers in Libraries 31(5) 14.