+44 (0) 1273 386849What If…? Bringing a Startup Mindset to Your Local Community Library
There’s a myth that innovation has to be flashy. That it needs a big budget, a brand-new app, going viral on TikTok, or some clever idea no one has ever thought of before.
But what if innovation could just mean noticing a gap and offering to fill it?
Recently, I attended a conference session on “how to build a legal tech startup”. You might think that’s miles away from the world of community libraries, but it inspired me. The speaker wasn’t obsessed with finding ‘the perfect idea’. Instead, he talked about solving real problems, listening to people, testing things and adjusting as you go along.
And it struck me: community libraries already do this every day. Let’s explore the startup mindset in libraries!
Everything good starts with a simple question
At the heart of the session was this truth: real innovation doesn’t start with a product or a solution, it starts with a question.
For me, that question was: What skills do I have that might be useful in my community?
I’m a librarian, living abroad, wanting to give something back. I speak English. I love reading stories to children. The children need English practice during the school holidays. Therefore, I walked into my local library and asked the children’s librarian whether she had ever considered organising a bilingual/English reading time.
That was the start. No big plan, just a question and a willingness to explore library programming ideas together.
What happens when you pitch a new idea in your library
The children’s librarian was thoughtful and open. She didn’t just say “yes” straight away, instead, she asked more great questions. Who was it for? When would it work best? Would it just be story time? What if no one showed up? And finally, how would we promote it?
I welcomed this discussion because one of the best things I took from the legal tech conference session was this:
“The more people you can share your idea with, the more you’ll benefit from collaboration. Collaboration is strength. Validation is better than vibes.”
That conversation was validation. It helped me test the idea, spot the issues, and shape it into something better. Talking it through didn’t feel dispiriting or weaken the idea, it made it real.
We fleshed it out, picked a time which she knew would work for our youthful audience (and parents/carers), and made the pitch to the library director friendly and flexible. It’s still evolving. The first session hasn’t even happened yet, but the key thing is: we’re trying something new.
Next stop is the library OPAC - once a librarian, always a librarian
I’ve already checked the OPAC for inspiration. The library catalogue interface is in a different language, but like any good library management system, it holds the same familiar structure – a reminder that no matter where we are, library systems should speak a shared language of organisation and access.
Inevitably, there were gaps in the English language library collection, so I asked English-speaking friends for ideas and borrowed some well-loved classics. Who doesn’t love The Hungry Caterpillar, The Gruffalo, and Wonky Donkey – wonderful stories that work across ages, languages, and generations. They will also inspire craft-related activities and other library programming ideas.
What community libraries can learn from MVP thinking
This is the kind of minimum viable product (MVP) for libraries that startup culture talks about. We can start with something small and see what happens. We will keep learning and adjust as needed. You don’t have to know all the answers, just be open to the questions.
“If you’re not embarrassed by the first version, you’ve launched too late.” — Reid Hoffman
Now, I’m not suggesting we all adopt startup language in our libraries. But I do think there’s something powerful in this mindset of testing, rather than waiting for perfection. Famously, most librarians are perfectionists, and this is a great strength, but sometimes we have to make that leap into the unknown to test our ideas.
(If you are unfamiliar with the jargon: What is MVP? MVP is the simplest version of a product that you need to build to sell it to a market.)
Using a startup mindset in libraries: Start small, learn fast
If you work in a community or other type of membership library which relies on volunteers, I know you are already doing so much. The hours need to fit in with your life. The budgets are always tight and the demands are constant. You are already innovating just by keeping the doors open..
This post isn’t here to add more pressure. It’s here to ask, gently, what if…?
- What if you tried something small and imperfect?
- What if someone in your community is waiting to offer help, but needs permission to step forward?
- What if you don’t need a perfect plan to get started?
- What if you were able to learn something new?
Sometimes, the most generous thing you can do is let an idea in, give it a try, and see what grows.
Want to try this approach in your community library?
If there’s an idea quietly sitting in the back of your mind, or someone in your community who keeps offering “I’d love to help, if you ever need…” – this might be the moment to see what happens. Try it gently. Try it small. But just make sure you put your idea out there and have a conversation with people.
And of course, this is just one part of the picture. If we want these small ideas to grow and keep growing, we need to talk about how they’re supported. How we fund them and how we make time for them.
In the next post, I’ll explore what else we can learn from the startup world. Not the jargon, not the hype but the honest, sometimes uncomfortable truths about money, value, and how to make things last.
Because innovation doesn’t have to be flashy. But it does have to be sustainable.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is a minimum viable product (MVP) in a library context?
A minimum viable product (MVP) in libraries means testing a small version of a new service, programme, or idea, just enough to see how it works in practice. It allows you to gather feedback, make improvements, and learn what your community really needs before committing extra time or resources on something new in a community library.
How can I test a new programme in a community library with limited resources?
Start with what you already have – your team, your space, your regular users. Choose a low-risk time slot, borrow or repurpose materials, and invite informal feedback. Frame it as a pilot or trial, so expectations are realistic. The goal isn’t perfection, but learning what works.
Can your library volunteers help develop new library programme ideas?
Absolutely. Volunteers often bring skills, perspectives, and local knowledge that enrich library programming. If someone in your community offers help -especially in areas like language, arts, or reading – consider inviting them to co-create a small project or session, with support from library staff.
What are some easy library programmes to pilot?
Examples include: storytime in a second language, a quiet craft hour, a library lovers’ lucky dip, a book display based on community favourites, or a digital skills drop-in. The key is to start with a clear idea and audience, and keep it simple enough to adjust based on feedback.
Why should community libraries use startup thinking?
Libraries and startups both solve real-world problems for real people. Startup thinking encourages experimentation, user feedback, and iteration -approaches that can help libraries test ideas quickly, adapt to change, and stay responsive to their communities.
What if a new library programme idea doesn’t work?
That’s completely normal. Not every idea will succeed right away. The key is to treat the experience as a learning opportunity: ask for feedback, reflect on what you learned, and adjust. Failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s often the first step towards something better.
How can I promote a new library event without a marketing budget?
Use what’s free! Word of mouth, in-library posters, social media, WhatsApp groups, parent networks, or school newsletters, your local museum or art gallery, cafes, local store bulletin board etc. Make your event sound inviting and low-pressure, and ask those who attend to tell others. The personal connection is still your most powerful tool.