Maynooth University library is dedicated to listening to our library users – for years we have gathered feedback on what works or doesn’t work for our students and library users. In 2016, we started asking them for their ideas. They, after all, are the ones using the spaces! Based on the Eureka! project from University of Manchester library and as part of a broader suite of UX (User Experience) projects, we ran a competition called “If students did libraries….”. The question was put to the library users – if you ran the library what would you do? what would make your experience in the library better? what ideas have you got that would make your life easier in the library? It was a Dragons’ Den-style competition where students were asked to submit their ideas and then the shortlisted finalists pitched their idea to a panel of judges with implementation of the idea and €1000 as the winning prize. The desired outcome of this competition was to develop the library spaces we have, add value to them and make it a space for everyone. We wanted to make the library an inclusive space for all by asking our users for ideas, listening to them and implementing them. This talk will document the process, the success, what we learned along the way and how it has impacted life in the library.

1. Facing the
Dragons at MU
Library
Laura Connaughton
Engagement & Information Services Librarian
Maynooth University
@lozconn | Laura.Connaughton@mu.ie

2. Dedicated to the
improvement and
understanding of our user
experience
Opportunity to collaborate
Library Innovation Team

3. University of Manchester Library
Lancaster University Library
Our
Inspiration

4. #IfStudentsDidLibraries
2017

5. Engagement
What do they want?
Something different
Mutual benefit
Improvements
Fun!

6. Book a study space
Textbook Rescue
Book Baskets
Zzzzz zone
Plants
Therapy dogs
Charging Stations
Break room
iPad stations
UK Pitches

7. We asked our entrants…
…to think
…to be innovative
…to be involved
…to pitch
We helped them by…

8. Department of Design Innovation
Maynooth University
Knowledge
Experience
Workshops
With thanks to:
Peter Robbins
Trevor Vaugh

10. Lorna Dodd
Academic Services, MU
Dillon Grace
MSU President
Cathal McCauley
Librarian, MU
Dr. Alison Hood
Dean of Teaching and
Learning, MU
Dr. Sandra Collins
Director, National Library of
Ireland

12. Sleep pods
Study Buddy App
Student Submission
Display Area
Masseuses'
Desk Availability
(LMS) App
MU Pitches

13. Winning pitch….sleep pods!
Brian Crinion
First Year
Robotics &
Intelligent
Devices

14. Media Coverage

15. Implementationwww.metronaps.co.uk

16. Outcomes
Engagement with students as
partners, investment and
collaboration
The position of the library as centre
of student experience
Add value
Students benefits

17. President's team award
for Service Innovation
at the inaugural
Maynooth University
Staff Recognition
Awards
The Library Innovation Team
Lorna Dodd, Carole Connolly, Fiona Tuohy, Elaine Bean, [missing from photo] Patricia Harkin and Laura Connaughton
Outcomes

18. Lorna Dodd
Academic Services, MU
Leon Diop
MSU President
Cathal McCauley
Librarian, MU
Dr. Alison Hood
Dean of Teaching and
Learning, MU
Marian Higgins
County Librarian, Kildare
Libraries & President of LAI
2019 Competition
March 19th 2019
2019 Pitches
Humanoid Robot to help with
learning difficulties
Charging Units
Meditation and VR
Study Notes
Seat Booking System
Library Capacity Monitoring

19. 2019 Finalists and Dragons

20. Winning pitch….eco friendly gym equipment that generates electricity!
Darragh
Gilleece
Masters in
Musicology &
Performance

21. Thank
You
Laura Connaughton
Engagement & Information Services
Librarian
Maynooth University
@lozconn | Laura.Connaughton@mu.ie