Innovation Committee
by Kiley Smith, student member of the Staff Innovation Fund Committee
Across the Libraries, many departments, employees and students have clever and creative ideas that could impact the experience users have in the library. In the past, there has not been an outlet to see ideas come to fruition, which means projects are put aside and forgotten. Due to the libraries focus on supporting staff and user needs, forming a committee to help projects become possible was a great addition to the library. In 2022, Advisory Board member Larry Bousquet generously gifted the library the ability to support staff projects, thus the Staff Innovation Fund was established.
The Staff Innovation Fund’s main purpose is to encourage staff, even student employees, to think outside the box for new pilot projects, experiments, programs or professional development events. The Innovation Fund accepts all types of submissions, which allows each department to advocate for their specific goals and needs. Proposals can be turned in at any point throughout the semester with the submission form; however, the Committee reviews proposals on a semester basis using the Innovation Fund rubric. The Innovation Fund also gets support from other funding sources in the library, such as the Dean’s Discretionary Fund. Partnerships between funding can help more projects come to life.
In the past, the Innovation Committee has awarded many departments with the funds needed to complete their proposals. From Access and Resource Sharing, the Preservation unit received funding for new benches and storage to create more effective and ergonomic workstations for staff and student employees. This project from the Fall of 2022 was co-funded with the Dean’s Discretionary Fund. During the Fall 2023 selection process, the Law Library proposed a comfort and convenience collection for law students to help alleviate stress through several items including happy lights, portable back massager and under the desk elliptical machine, which can all be borrowed during long study sessions. In the most recent selection period, summer 2024, the Marketing and Communications department proposed column wraps for the first floor of Bird Library to brighten the space and provide users with helpful information.
Not all proposals consist of the same sized request, which allows the Committee to diversify the submissions that receive awards. One smaller scale recipient from the Fall of 2022 selection cycle was from Learning and Academic Engagement for their idea of welcome flowers at the information desk in Bird Library. The flowers not only bring happiness to the staff working the desk, but they also create a cheery environment for all who utilize their services or walk past the desk. Another smaller scale project from Learning and Academic Engagement in Fall of 2022 was a puzzle board in the Learning Commons to enhance the puzzle experience for students. The table makes it easier to complete in a designated space and provides storage when not being used, minimizing the numbers of lost puzzle pieces.
All in all, the Staff Innovation Fund is an excellent opportunity for library staff and student employees to put innovative ideas, projects or experiments into effect within the Libraries. For more information about the Staff Innovation Fund, read the Staff Innovation Fund Research Guide or contact a member of the committee.