Challenge Statements
1.Expanding Library Access Beyond Staffed Hours
Context: Customers frequently need help with routine tasks that today typically require call center or in-person staff support during staffed hours only.
Challenge: How might we provide accurate, convenient access beyond traditional service hours, while ensuring customers can still reach staff when human assistance is needed?
Desired Outcome: Reliable self-service support available anytime, with a clear, easy path to human staff when needed or desired.
2. Practical AI Literacy for All Community Members
Context: As AI becomes part of everyday information-seeking, learning, work, and civic life, community members need trusted, approachable opportunities to understand what AI tools can and cannot do, how to use them responsibly, and how to evaluate AI-generated information.
Challenge: How might we help all community members build practical AI confidence and literacy through library services, programs, and learning experiences that are accessible, relevant, and aligned with public library values?
Desired Outcome: Community members of all backgrounds gain practical, confident AI literacy through trusted library programming.
Submit a Solution
The 2026 Library Innovation Challenge application is now OPEN! Submit your solution by November 20.
Thinking about applying?
To stay informed about the Library Innovation Challenge, click here to be added to the distribution list.
Applicant expectations:
- Submit proposal no later than November 20
- Submit a proposal that requests no more than $25,000
- Attach a 5 slide overview of your solution
- Review the RFI2 solicitation document prior to submitting
- 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.
The following Colorado libraries have confirmed their participation: Arapahoe Libraries, Aurora Public Library, Douglas County Libraries, Boulder Public Library District, High Plains Library District, Denver Public Library, Jefferson County Public Library, representing 2.5M Colorado residents and the plurality of the Colorado library market. Submitting an application will enable you to receive feedback on you solution from these jurisdictions with the potential for collaboration opportunities.
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.
Participation Opportunity for Colorado Libraries
The Library Innovation Challenge is currently seeking Colorado libraries interested in reviewing innovative ways to tackle these challenges defined by libraries across the state. Interested in participating? Contact us to learn more!
Timeline
The Library Innovation Challenge process is divided into three separate stages:
- Intake
- Proposals are submitted via provided intake form
- Reviewers evaluate solutions
- Reviewers choose solutions to implement at their library
- Execution
- Libraries partner with solution provider(s) to implement solution(s) at their library(s)
- Assessment
- Assess results for outcomes
- Scale
- Successful solutions scale to additional libraries
