Turning Outward to Lead Change in Your Community: Intentionality #alamw15#librariestransform.

Turning Outward to Lead Change in Your Community: Intentionality

#alamw15#librariestransform

AGENDA

• Libraries Transforming Communities • Harwood Institute for Public Innovation• How to get the most out of this session• Engagement paths and intentionality

– Experience– Benefits and how to use at home

• Other sessions and tools for community engagement• Evaluation

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I would describe our library’s community engagement as:

Just getting started; moving beyond outreach Off to a good start and actively exploring Part of how we work now Well established; refining our skills

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About Harwood

• National nonprofit working with you to address community challenges in a way that makes your library and community stronger

• Proven 25-year track record• What’s different – Turning Outward

If you turn outward and make more intentional judgments and choices in creating change, you will produce greater

impact and relevance in your community.

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Turning Outward

An orientation toward community – literally about the direction we are facing!

Without it, there is little chance for change.

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The “Turning Outward” Approach: Four Foundational Tools

Aspirations

Turn QuizIntentionality

Sustaining Yourself

Talk to your community, framing the conversation to best understand their hopes, challenges and conditions for change

Approach your work with the community, not the institution, at the heart of all discussion and action

Act intentionally and authentically, evaluating your success as you go

Rejuvenate; make wellbeing for yourself and your team a priority

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Engagement Paths• Think about the decisions you make in your sphere of

influence on a daily basis.

• How do you define the way you currently engage the community?

• What are the implications for the way you engage the community?

• What would it take to shift to engagement that is more aligned with how people naturally engage in public issues?

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Intentionality Tests

Each day we make hundreds of choices…

What lens do we use to assess the quality of those choices?

Six simple questions can help.

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More Resources & News: www.ala.org/LTC

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Benefits for Libraries & Library Professionals

• Repositioning libraries and library professionals as conveners and facilitators of community innovation and change

• Bringing new tools, skill development and learning opportunities that support enhanced capacity for community engagement

• Demonstrated results in communities to increase their ability to work effectively together on issues the community cares about

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Final “Turning Outward” Session Today

• Sustaining Yourself (3 – 4:30 p.m.) Staying motivated means asking, “What rejuvenates me? Who rejuvenates me?”

All sessions take place in this room, W178.

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Evaluation

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Join Us at These Related Programs• “Libraries Fostering Community Engagement Reception”A networking reception with library professionals working on community engagementTonight from 5-6 p.m., HRM – Hyde Park/CC 11A

• “Leading in Times of Crisis: A Conversation with Ferguson (Mo.) Library Director Scott Bonner”

Sponsored by Libraries Transforming CommunitiesMonday from 1-2:30 p.m., W183C

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Keep the Conversation Going

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To be part of the conversation with other library professionals, go to ALA Connect (connect.ala.org) and join the Libraries Foster Community Engagement group.

Take the Tools Home!

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A Step-by-Step Guide to “Turning Outward” to Your Community

Digital and paper workbooks available on your way out.

Contact us or visit www.ala.org/LTC Mary Davis Fournier Deputy Director, Public Programs Office

American Library Association 312-280-5056 [email protected]

Cheryl Gorman Vice President of National Programs The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation 613-614-1213 [email protected]

Carlton Sears Certified Coach The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation 330-402-9149 [email protected]

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