Crompton, E., 2024.

Identifying the Affordances of the Library of Engagements

The Library of Engagement was conceived first as an archive: a simple, personal collection of methods, tools and techniques of participative processes used inside and outside the built environment [1]. Over time it has adapted into various guises, twisted to fit into a range of circumstances and offered a variety of transformative interactions. This has not only influenced my own scholarship and learning about engagement methods but has in turn influenced my theoretical perspective and pedagogical practice. The original aim for the Library was to enthuse more architects and designers to use engagement in their projects, but over time it has been used for a range of different audiences including citizens, academics and students. I believe it has assisted many people, and many projects, however its affect could be greater. To activate the Library and the artefacts it holds within, you need to have a conversation with the Librarian. It is this initial discussion which begins a transformative interaction in both Librarian and participant. I currently play the part of the Librarian. But I am only one person, I live in Manchester, in the UK. So how can the Library become more widely disseminated, perhaps even potentially a global resource? This Situated Action will enable a discussion as well as a demonstration of the Librarian's aim to affect others with a simple conversation, and wonders if that could ever be substituted.