by Ahmad | Week 2 | Monday | 9 June 2025

What if libraries weren’t just spaces for books, but platforms for discovery, connection, and belonging? Our recent visit to the Siebel Center for Design inspired us to think differently about the role libraries can play in people’s lives.

A Space for Invention and Connection
From woodshops and 3D printing labs to video studios and waterjet printers, every corner is built for creating, experimenting, and making ideas a reality. It’s a space that encourages people to build, test, and learn making it a model for how libraries can reimagine their spaces.

Reimagining Libraries for the People They Serve
What if we applied this approach to libraries?
• What if a library could be a maker space or a gym for ideas?
• What if we conducted interviews with patrons, capturing their stories and understanding their needs?
• What if we treated patrons as partners building trust, understanding their aspirations, and designing spaces and services that fit?
Through qualitative interviews, photographs, and observations, we can move beyond assumptions and truly understand how people experience libraries. We can ask ourselves, What spaces do they need? What stories do they want to tell? What ideas do they want to explore?

The Power of “Reimagine”
At its core, human centered design is about saying, “Let’s rethink this”. Let’s imagine a library that serves as a space for collaboration, relaxation, and belonging. Let’s ask ourselves, Why? Let’s listen, observe, and understand, making every person, every visitor, a designer of their own experience.

With this approach, libraries can evolve from traditional spaces into inclusive hubs of creativity, connection, and lifelong learning. The Siebel Center for Design reminds us that when we listen closely, ask questions, and design with people in mind, we can transform spaces and lives.