Social Innovations in Public Libraries: Types and Challenges

Abstract

The existing research on classifying innovations by libraries does not treat social innovation as a separate category. As a result, library practitioners interested in implementing social innovations might not find and benefit from the specific guidance for planning and managing social innovations. Using thematic analysis of the library innovations literature from 2009 to 2019, this study identifies six types of means-related and goals-oriented social innovations by public libraries. This study also proposes a framework for classifying six social innovation types in public libraries along a spectrum from user centered to community centered and maps nine challenges on the organizational–environmental axis. The findings expand the existing classification schemas of innovations in libraries. In addition, the findings provide insight into a subset of social innovation types and the challenges public librarians will likely experience when implementing them. This perspective could benefit public library personnel who create and successfully manage social innovations.