Join the Penn Libraries as we present the work and research of our Library Staff. Today's event:

Learn how speculative design and related disciplines like discursive design and science fiction can help us explore current approaches to library spaces, services, and technologies, uncovering assumptions about what a library is and what a librarian does. Engaging in arts-based research and research-through-design practices, we can develop objects and stories that act as prompts for discussion and debate about hypothetical, but perhaps possible, library futures.

Hear from a panel of library workers involved in these practices. Panelists contributed to the ALAO Technical, Electronic, and Digital Services SIG’s web-based project, Post-Pandemic Libraries. This project is the result of the SIG’s yearlong exploration of speculative design and libraries. 

Shannon Robinson will present a brief overview of speculative design and arts-based research in librarianship. Then, we'll hear from panelists about their projects:

Calvin Cleary: Alexandr.ia 

Myiesha Speight and Bria Sinnott: Tech to You Imagined Archive

John Jung: The Do Good Report

Heidi Beke-Harrigan and Katie DeJongh: Growing Through the Cracks

Mackenzie Salisbury: Biblioderive + Speculative Card Deck