2017: Kyleigh Langrick

formal portrait of five men and women, woman carrying floral bouquet — Kyleigh Langrick (second from right) with Michael Byrne, Secretary and Public Officer PLVN; Kate Torney, former CEO State Library Victoria; Jenny Ruffy, President PLVN; and Dennis Goldner, Library Board of Victoria

The 2017 Barrett Reid Scholarship was awarded to Kyleigh Langrick, Children and Youth Services Librarian from Moreland City Council, for a project titled 'Design thinking for public libraries'. The scholarship supported Kyleigh's investigation of Australian businesses and American libraries that have applied design thinking methodology to review their service models.

Kyleigh's research resulted in the development of an Australian-specific Design Thinking Libraries Toolkit to encourage the adoption of creative and innovative ways to enhance user-centred experiences. A series of workshops for public library staff supported the toolkit and developed their skillsets in assessing customer needs. Her research will encourage further exploration of how Victorian public libraries can deliver meaningful, efficient and customer-driven experiences.