Library Innovation Challenge

What is the Library Innovation Challenge?

The Library Innovation Challenge provides an open-ended innovation process for government procurement that removes the need to meet specific requirements and provides an open door to business and academic innovators to propose new ways of solving a problem. The objectives are as follows:

  • Identify better solutions to issues impacting Arapahoe Libraries and Boulder Public Library
  • Attract innovative ideas, people, and investment to Colorado
  • Build a collaborative ecosystem across and within governments and other sectors that benefits Colorado
  • Provide a streamlined procurement process that creates efficiencies for all participating stakeholders
  • Motivate, inspire and, ultimately, change government to become more innovative and collaborative

Purpose

The purpose of this initiative is to design and pilot a low-friction, inclusive discovery experience that enables any library patron, while in the library, to seamlessly connect with the full range of digital collections, events, and services available. By aligning opportunities with patrons’ individual interests and needs, the solution should deepen understanding of how the library can support, enrich, and transform their daily lives.

Challenge Statement and Solution Context

Public libraries offer far more than physical books: they provide access to digital collections, learning resources, cultural programs, and essential community services. Yet, these rich offerings often remain underutilized or invisible to patrons in real time. The challenge is to identify innovative, privacy-conscious ways to surface and promote the breadth of library services in ways that are accessible, intuitive, and engaging for all patrons.

Examples of some of these services:

What We Aren’t Looking For:

We’re not looking for a marketing system or digital signage: we’re looking for unique solutions that can connect patrons to our resources in a way beyond just an advertisement.

Submit a Solution

This year’s Library Innovation Challenge application is now CLOSED!

To stay informed about the Library Innovation Challenge, click here to be added to the distribution list.

Applicant expectations:

  • Review the Terms and Conditions stipulated in the RFI2/Solicitation Document
  • Submit proposal no later than November 21
  • Submit a proposal that requests no more than $25,000
  • Attach a 5 slide overview of your solution
  • Be willing to co-develop the project and be patient

Resources:

Benefits

Get paid to collaborate directly with Colorado Libraries to develop, test and scale solutions in real world environments while also gaining exposure within the Alliance network of more than 70 public, private, academic and allied members.

Market Opportunity

Libraries represent a unique, often overlooked market opportunity for technology companies. According to the American Library Association, there are 124,903 libraries across the country, which are increasingly becoming a technology access hub for communities across the United States.

How does the Library Innovation Challenge work?

The Library Innovation Challenge process is divided into three separate stages:

  • Intake
    • Proposals are submitted via provided intake form
    • Reviewers (made up of library employees representing the Arapahoe Library District as a whole, and some of the distinct sites that will be the focus for implementation) evaluate solutions
    • Reviewers choose solutions to implement at Arapahoe Libraries
  • Execution
    • Arapahoe Libraries partners with solution provider(s) to implement solution(s) at their library(s)
  • Assessment
    • Assess results for outcomes
  • Scale
    • Successful solutions scale to additional libraries

Timeline