Public libraries as open spaces

for societal innovations

Lari AhoHelsingin kaupunginkirjasto

18.12.2014

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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)

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European societies are facing major challenges

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How are libraries responding?

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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Just taking the first steps…

what is library for her in five years?

More information:

Labrary.eu

Kokeilupiste.fi

THANK YOU