University of Washington

The Information School at University of Washington (UW iSchool) and the School of Education at California State University, San Marcos - with The Seattle Public Library and San Diego Public Library - will develop a two-year research project to support intergenerational participatory design (PD) groups through a communities of practice model to train librarians and MLIS students to engage in design thinking processes. This project will create, train, and disseminate a model for libraries to engage in PD between librarians and youth and family patrons. The outcomes of this project will be used to 1) create a process in which local Seattle libraries can engage in PD independently; 2) provide a means to create a central hub at UW iSchool and The Seattle Public Library to help train and support librarians engaging in PD across the country; and 3) create materials, workshops, seminars, and presentations to help other librarian professionals engage in PD.