Louise McGillisAssociate University Librarian, Grenfell

lmcgillis@grenfell.mun.ca

Crystal RosePublic Services Librarian

crose@grenfell.mun.ca

The “Adjacent Possible”Building Internal & External Networks

Where do ideas come from?

Where Good Ideas Come Fromby Steven Johnson

https://youtu.be/NugRZGDbPFU

Innovation…

…does not happen in isolation

The “adjacent possible”

“Innovative environments are better at helping their inhabitants explore the adjacent possible”

(Johnson)

Social Capital

The collective value of all

social networks

Vertical Networks

Traditional way organizations work

Horizontal Networks

Why is social capital important?

Communities with high community and civic engagement are better educated, healthier, vote more, are more altruistic, and more prosperous than those with weaker social networks (Robert Putman)

Social Capital

“The most important productive tool for generating good ideas remains a circle of

humans at a table, talking shop” (Johnson)

“Third places”

First place (home)

Second place(work)

Third places

Libraries as “third-places”

More than just comfy chairs!

Ferriss Hodgett Library, Grenfell Campus

Role of Librarians

• Engage and collaborate with other departments within your organization

Darwin’s Birthday Party

Cupcakes for Chemists!

Role of Librarians

• Engage and collaborate with other departments within your organization

• Identify research projects & partners

Grenfell Library & Rural Secretariat Partnerships

Networks for Business Innovation

Role of Librarians

• Engage and collaborate with other departments within your organization

• Identify research projects & partners• Include community engagement as part of

library’s vision

Grenfell Library’s Vision Statement

“Our Library is committed to community outreach. We provide research support to local and regional community groups, identify research support opportunities, and increase community awareness and use of MUN Library collections and research support services.”

CU Expo 2013

Failure?

“If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing

anything very innovative”– Woody Allen

Chance Favours the Connected Mind

“social capital”

Libraries as‘third places”

“adjacent possible”

ResourcesCU Expo 2013. www.cuexpo2011.ca

Frey, Susan M., and Margit Codispoti. “Bowling Alone in the Library: Building Social Capital on Campus.” Popular Culture & American Culture Association Annual National Conference. St. Louis Grand, St. Louis, MI. April 2003.

Hardagon, Andrew. How Breakthroughs Happen: The Surprising Truth About How Companies Innovate.

Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2003.

ResourcesJohnson, Steven. TED Talk: Where Good Ideas Come From.

July 2010.

Johnson, Steven. Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation. New York: Penguin,

2010.

Johnson, Steven. Where Good Ideas Come From (Youtube video). 17 Sept. 2010

ResourcesOldenburg, Ray. The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops,

Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons and other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community. 3rd ed. Cambridge,

Massachusetts: Da Capo Press, 1999.

Putman, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon &

Schuster, 2000.

Rayner-Canham, Geoff. “Celebrating IYC with Cupcakes.”Chem 13 News Oct. 2011.