Ideas in Progress

This branch holds ideas only when Mara can state the audience, the smallest useful test, and what she would learn from it. It is intentionally smaller than her capture list: a note can stay in Reading Notes or Everyday Observations without becoming a project.

Two active ideas

Neighborhood Listening Walk is a 20-minute walk along the library, bus stop, and market. Participants would note sounds, accessible crossings, and places where a newcomer might hesitate. A two-person trial comes before any public invitation; Mara will avoid recording identifiable conversations.

Borrow-a-Book Postcard pairs a short handwritten recommendation with a book exchanged at the community shelf. The first test needs five cards, permission from the shelf steward, and a way to collect anonymous responses. Mara wants to learn whether a personal prompt increases actual borrowing rather than simply producing a prettier display.

Decision rule

A test succeeds if it yields a clear next decision, not if everyone likes the idea. After each trial, record what happened, one surprise, the cost in time or materials, and whether to continue, change, or stop. Each developed-idea file contains its own brief and trial checklist.

• Confirm the listening-walk route after rain and identify one step-free alternative.
• Ask the shelf steward whether postcards can be displayed for one week.
• Review both trials on Sunday; advance no more than one to a larger pilot.

Neighborhood Listening Walk

Borrow-a-Book Postcard