Shanghai Library Innovation Space: Redefining the Future of Library Design

Creating a Human-Centered Learning Environment

The Shanghai Library Innovation Space has always been attentive to the needs and desires of its users. Over the past four years, the team has continuously adjusted the literature configurations, added various software, and improved the content to provide an exceptional user experience. The team's goal is to offer user feedback from the readers' perspective, making it an excellent case of user participation in the transformation and application of library space.

What sets the Shanghai Library Innovation Space apart is its focus on the future learning experience in a public area. This project, based on human-centered thinking, encompasses every aspect of the space. The redesign aims to bring knowledge to life and create a free-flowing environment where users can experience more than just the traditional library. By providing a more enriching learning experience, the Innovation Space also highlights the greater role of librarians in this transformative process.

The realization of the Shanghai Library Innovation Space is made possible through the application of design thinking methodology. The team reframed key questions, conducted brainstorming sessions, interviews, and sought inspiration from global and local sources. They also searched for analogous examples and understood the real challenges they faced. The project consists of five main sections: Inspiration, Research, Ideation, Prototyping, and Refinement. Each section is an interwoven mechanism that directly or indirectly affects the others, creating an organic design process.

The human-centered design thinking approach is applied to reconsider the Space's market positioning, organizational structure, user experience, and space planning. This comprehensive approach takes innovation to a new level by not only satisfying users' needs but also enhancing the value of library staff in the larger context of transformative development. The team has learned to put people first and leverage design thinking to maximize the value of the design process, enabling further changes to the Space in the future.

The Shanghai Library Innovation Space operates through a threefold interaction. Firstly, a human-centered survey on innovation is conducted, using the 5E method to interpret the experience: Entice, Enter, Engage, Exit, and Extend. Secondly, customized course design establishes an innovation learning platform for both internal and external participants. Based on a database of people's interests, the innovation team designs courses that cater to their preferences. Finally, a unique platform is created through close collaboration between the innovation team and lecturers. Together, they design content and class formats, such as lectures and workshops, to provide participants with the most immersive experience.

The project started in early 2017 in Shanghai, China, and the first round of design was completed in February 2018. The Shanghai Library Innovation Space will be exhibited at the end of March 2018 at the Shanghai Library Innovation Space and will also be showcased at the Venice Design 2018 exhibition in May. The project has been a result of extensive research, including surveys of users and librarians to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall experience.

The Shanghai Library Innovation Space faced several challenges during its design process. As a benchmark in the exploration of innovation spaces for Chinese libraries, it had to reposition itself to maintain its leading role in the face of market changes, consumer trade-up, industrial transformation, and technological advances. The team focused on rebuilding the culture of the Space while adhering to the Shanghai Library's mission of providing excellent knowledge services.

The Shanghai Library Innovation Space is a testament to the power of human-centered design thinking. By reimagining the market positioning, organizational structure, user experience, and space planning, it has created an innovative learning environment that not only meets users' needs but also enhances the value of library staff. With its focus on the future, this project is a shining example of how libraries can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Sheng-Hung Lee and Shanghai Library Innovation Space, 2018.

Awards and Accolades: The Shanghai Library Innovation Space was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Innovation Space's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contributes to a better world.