Arapahoe Libraries partners with Colorado Smart Cities Alliance to launch 2024 Library Innovation Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[December 5, 2024] –
Arapahoe Libraries has partnered with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance to host a first-of-its-kind Library Innovation Challenge. The contest invites innovators to address a specific challenge: “How are physical library spaces being used, and how can we leverage this data to improve the patron experience?”
Unlike traditional request for proposal (RFPs), where the solution is predefined, the innovation challenge presents a problem and invites creative solutions, opening the door for any applicant to propose new ideas. Challenge winners will receive up to $25,000 in funding for Phase I and the opportunity to develop, test and scale the solution to the entire library district. Participants can apply online by Dec. 18.
Background
“Libraries today are much more than just books; they are vibrant community spaces offering access to information, technology and a variety of services,” said Oli Sanidas, Arapahoe Libraries executive director. “Arapahoe Libraries has continually evolved to meet the community’s needs. The main obstacle we face from a data perspective is that we lack tools to tell us how patrons are using library space. Currently, we track things like visitor numbers, meeting room reservations and checkouts. However, those measures don’t necessarily paint the full picture. For example, we don’t know how often materials are browsed without being checked out, or how moving a service desk may encourage people to ask for help.”
“The Library Innovation Challenge aims to create a more holistic view of library usage and allow us to be more data-driven and adaptive. This data and other factors could help inform our strategy, including asset allocation, space layout and future renovations. We are excited to partner with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance to open this question to the broader community. By taking this approach, we could discover opportunities we were missing or spark ideas that we hadn’t considered before,” Sanidas said.
Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
This is not the first time Arapahoe Libraries has partnered with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, the first statewide alliance of its kind in the nation. The Alliance brings together public, private, federal research and academic sector leaders committed to advancing smarter communities. It has facilitated some of the most innovative government technology projects in the state.
“We know the value of partnerships in driving innovation and creating impactful solutions for our community. The Alliance has helped us build fruitful relationships, as with technology startup Snowbotix and the Blind Institute of Technology, who have helped us improve accessibility. This challenge marks a new step in our journey toward greater innovation and collaboration, helping us fulfill our mission of being the best public library for our communities,” Sanidas said.
###
About the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance is the first state-wide alliance of its kind in the nation, bringing together public, private, federal research, and academic sector leaders committed to advancing smarter communities. The organization aims to enhance quality of life in Colorado by fostering sustainability, equity, resilience, and humanism in urban environments. Through partnership development, education, and capacity-building, the Alliance has facilitated some of the most innovative government technology projects in the state.
About Arapahoe Libraries
Arapahoe Libraries includes eight community libraries, a jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado. For more information, visit arapahoelibraries.org.
Contact
Chelsea Barrett
Colorado Smart Cities Alliance
chelsea@coloradosmart.city
