LABRARY project explores new role of libraries in diffiusion of innovation in society. Future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed.

1. Public libraries as open spaces
for societal innovations
Lari Aho
Helsingin kaupunginkirjasto
18.12.2014

2. 2
 Health, demographic change and wellbeing
 Secure, clean and efficient energy
 Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw
materials
 Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and
reflective societies
 Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe
and its citizens
(EU 2020 strategy)
.
European societies are facing
major challenges

3. 3
How are libraries responding?

4. 4
 Libraries can open up as
spaces for ideas and
solutions aiming to solve
societal challenges
 Showcase ideas, prototypes,
early products or services
within library
 Invite people to give
feedback, co-create and
encourage to take an active
role in society
LABRARY is a new way to respond

5. 5
 Invite everyone to solve the
problems
 People, universities, small
businesses
 People need to know about
ideas in order to use them
 Developers of ideas need to
verify them with the future
users
 Success in societal
innovation benefits
everybody; users,
developers, society
Public, private and people
together

6. 6
 Libraries have unique position providing open access to
information and knowledge
 This applies to literature as well as for societal innovations
 Just think as the innovations were books
 Author is inventor, theme is about solving societal challenge
 User is reader
 Library can serve as holistic living lab for citizens needs &
solutions
 Library builds strong position by increasing innovation capacity
in the entire society
Libraries building society

7. 7
LABRARY = libraries as open
innovation spaces where
innovators and users meet

8. 8
 Pilot funded by EU and city
of Helsinki; budget 0,6M€
 Voluntary offering for
libraries
 24 libraries joined in 8 cities
 Collection of 65 societal
ideas to be tested
 2 million people visited
these libraries during project
while the expo was delivered
 Engaged 115.000 people
 3 persons team and a van
LABRARY pilot in Finland 2012-14

9. 9

15. 15
 Math and music learning games
for youth
 Local community information
services
 Climate friendly products
 Activation for everyday sports
exercises
 Citizens tools for having voice
in society
 New employment and job
seeking solutions
 Health related products like
intelligent medicine dispensers
Examples of the innovations
presented

16. 16
 SCALES easily cross the
borders - no need for
personnel training
 SERVES citizens as well as
developers
 PUBLIC and PRIVATE actors in
harmony
 FUTURE innovators see
library as new opportunity
 Library EXPLORES new roles
in society and gains valuable
partnerships
LABRARY pilot learnings

17. 17
Just taking the first
steps…
what is library for her in five
years?
More information:
Labrary.eu
Kokeilupiste.fi
THANK YOU