Libraries as organizations for social innovation

Abstract

This paper aims to verify possible types of innovation proposed by libraries aligned to the goal of reducing negative impacts on society. The concept of transformative social innovation was elucidated. It was verified how goals in public policies for the books and reading promotion address the term library. The encounter between libraries’ innovation culture and the social demands to generate social innovations was graphically represented. The Content Analysis research method was applied. The research findings made it possible to reflect that libraries can develop social innovations focused on products and services that contribute to socioeconomic, human and sustainable developments. Thus, it can be inferred that the hypothesis presented at the beginning of this study was validated. It concludes that libraries can be involved in community problem-solving situations through actions that positively impact on these communities and that seek the well-being of all who live in them.