Index
- Register now for Trustee Training Week 2020
- Short customer service trainings from WVLS
- IMLS opens library grants for National Leadership, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian programs
- Webinar addresses online board gaming and libraries
- EveryLibrary Institute announces virtual library advocacy & funding conference
- Continuing Education Calendar
Webinars scheduled Aug. 24-28, 20120
Register now for Trustee Training Week 2020
Registration is now open for Wisconsin Trustee Training Week 2020, which will be held Aug. 24-28. There will be one webinar each day from noon to 1 p.m. on a topic that’s relevant to public library boards, friends, and trustees. Webinars are available free of charge, and are open to anyone.
The schedule of presentations is as follows:
- Monday, Aug. 24 -- Core Values of Librarianship -- Librarianship as a profession has a set of core values. But where do they come from, and what do they mean? Library technologist Jessamyn West will talk about the things that make up the core values of librarianship and discuss the tensions that exist between some of them.
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 -- Recruiting and Engaging Friends and Trustees Under Age 40 -- Millennials are more likely than other adults to have visited the library recently. However, most Friends and Trustee boards do not have even a single Millennial member (Pew 2016, ALA 2018). What accounts for this discrepancy, and how can we rectify it? Join Madeline Jarvis and Tess Wilson to learn how to attract Millennials to your Friends group and Board of Trustees, and turn the largest generation of library users into your best advocates.
- Wednesday, Aug. 26 -- Public Library System Redesign (PLSR) Implementation Update -- Throughout the response to the public health event, the Department of Public Instruction Division for Libraries and Technology, Public Library Systems, Public Libraries and other partners have been extraordinarily collaborative in our efforts to support the Wisconsin library community. These efforts have allowed us to see new ways for how libraries and systems can be connected and work together in the spirit of PLSR. Through this lens of cooperation and continuous improvement as libraries bounce back from the impact of the pandemic, we continue to move our efforts forward to implement the recommendations of the PLSR Steering Committee. Join Bruce Smith for a presentation that will include an overview of the PLSR process and an update on the progress of implementing the seven recommendations including information about specific activities and timelines. There also will be time for questions, comments, and input from attendees.
- Thursday, Aug. 27 -- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: What Library Trustees Need to Know -- Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) impacts all communities and all aspects of librarianship. Library Boards of Trustees have an important role in supporting EDI and related initiatives. This webinar will help trustees and library directors understand how to incorporate EDI into policy development, strategic planning, funding initiatives, board development, and more. Anne Phibbs will present a variety of interactive scenarios in which EDI issues are a factor, with time for Q&A and discussion. In this webinar, Anne, PhD, Founder and President of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, will give a basic introduction to EDI and discuss what library trustees and boards need to know about EDI.
- Friday, Aug. 28 -- Walk the Line: How Trustees Can Best Lead Their Libraries Without Overstepping Their Authority -- Being a Trustee is an important job. You are part of a team that represents the taxpayers, oversees the library director, and advocates for the library. However, where exactly do your duties end the library staff’s begin? This line, while very clear from a legal standpoint, can become a bit fuzzy in practice. Join Becky Spratford, a 20 + years librarian and five-term library trustee as she helps you understand how to walk the fine line between being a leader and being in the way. She will go over how you as a trustee can best help the library thrive, noting when you should step in but also when you should back off, strengthening all of Wisconsin’s Libraries in the process.
You must register for each webinar individually at www.wistrusteetraining.com. More information is also available at that link, and you can also access recordings from the 2015-19 webinars.
Trustee Training Week is sponsored by the South Central Library System, with financial support from other Wisconsin Public Library Systems, plus the Division for Libraries and Technology and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Recordings of other SCLS Continuing Education webinars are available on the SCLS website at https://scls.typepad.com/programs/.
Short customer service trainings from WVLS
The Wisconsin Valley Library Service recently did two short trainings for libraries related to customer service and reopening:
- Having Unpleasant Conversations (During a Pandemic): https://youtu.be/1bExfzVU3Lo (9 minutes)
- Communication Tips (While Wearing a Mask): https://youtu.be/B-YLLQ65YYU (8 minutes). The presenter does this demo while wearing a mask.
IMLS opens library grants for National Leadership, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian programs
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting Fiscal Year 2021 proposals for National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program (LB21).
Applicants have through Oct. 2, 2020, to submit their two-page preliminary proposals.
National Leadership Grants for Libraries support projects that enhance the quality of library and archives services nationwide by advancing theory and practice. Successful proposals will generate results such as new tools, research findings, models, services, practices, or alliances that will be widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated to extend the benefits of federal investment.
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program invests in developing a diverse workforce of librarians to better meet the changing learning and information needs of the American public by enhancing the training and professional development of library and archives professionals, developing faculty and library leaders, and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals.
“The role of library professionals continues to evolve and expand as they provide a variety of essential services to their communities,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS invests in projects that will continue to assist libraries in achieving their mission. We are looking forward to seeing proposals that advance the library field and help them to build, expand, and develop new opportunities.”
Applicants should review the notices of funding opportunity carefully and reach out to IMLS staff members listed on the NLG-L and LB21webpages with any questions.
Webinar
One pre-application webinar will be held with program staff to answer questions from potential applicants. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from 2-3 p.m. (central time), and a recording of the webinar will also be available on-demand afterward.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Webinar addresses online board gaming and libraries
Closed buildings and social distancing doesn’t need to mean the end of engaging and fun board game groups hosted by libraries. Many libraries have worked hard to organize board game groups, while others are still considering how to get started.
On Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 pm (Central Time), join WebJunction for the webinar Whose Turn is it Anyway? Online Board Gaming and Libraries (register).
Using popular and free online board gaming platforms (Board Game Arena, Yucata, Tabletopia, Tabletop Simulator, and Boitejeux), communities of gamers can continue meeting safely online. This webinar will explore how to make the transition to online board gaming, moderate meetups, and facilitate discussions among participants. The session will be applicable to those looking to move online and anyone interested in starting their first gaming group.
Presented by: John Pappas, Head Librarian, Elkins Park Free Public Library, Cheltenham Township Library System (PA), and author of the Board in the Library series on WebJunction; and Bebo, author, photographer, video producer and founder of Be Bold Games.
EveryLibrary Institute announces virtual library advocacy & funding conference
The EveryLibrary Institute recently announced that it has released over a dozen of the sessions for the virtual Library Advocacy and Funding Conference!
According to EveryLibrary, Libraries have lost nearly 20% of voter support for library funding over the last 10 years. If this trend continues, in just a few more years we'll reach a critical point where library funding drastically declines as more library campaigns are lost and as state and federal legislators begin eliminating funding sources. That's why EveryLibrary is curating some of the world's best experts in the world of advocacy and marketing to train librarians, library advocates, associations, and friends and foundation organizations how to build community support for library funding.
Register today! The cost to register is $75 until Aug. 14, then $100 until Sept. 4, then $125 after that.
This virtual conference is being held Sept 14-16, and all sessions are pre-recorded so you can view them in any order or at any time throughout the Sept. 14-16 time period. These pre-recorded sessions also make this conference as inclusive as possible with subtitles and closed captioning in a number of different languages.
You won't want to miss out on these great sessions below, but check back often as EveryLibrary is adding new sessions every day.
- Sade Dozen - The Power of Resource Building: Institutional Support & Fundraising Component -- The key to effective sustainability is ensuring your organization is well equipped to weather all the changes that may come.
A key part of development in this capacity is growing your institutional leg of funding to support your diversified fundraising strategy! Institutional grant-making can occur through an array of entities but in particular, for libraries, building foundation, corporation, and small-business support are essential. This session will review best practices for aligning your organization with these types of institutions; prospect and fundraising landscape assessments; the components to a strong proposal template; and how to set your library up for success through strong relationship-building tactics. - Allison Ehrich Bernstein - Leading With Your Mission: From Good Messaging to Great Rhetoric -- When you talk about your work, what do people hear?
Good messaging allows you to connect with listeners on their own terms, while letting your voice and passion shine through -- and a great presentation makes sure your audience is as excited as you are about what you have to say. In an era when attention spans are short and takeaways are limited, making your point effectively is critical, but it's often too easy to get caught up in process, jargon, and the wrong details. When you can speak in a way that your audience connects with, though, you win supporters and advance your cause. This session will cover how to define what you do -- and, just as importantly, why you do it -- in language that educates and engages your audience, as well as how to achieve a compelling, natural presentation style that works. - Celinda Lake - The Mood of the Nation in the times of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter and the Role of Libraries -- As the country prepares for a historic election in November 2020, Americans are continuing to navigate the implications and effects of this unprecedented time in American history -- consisting of a global pandemic, record-high unemployment rates, and tense race relations.
In this time of crisis, it is imperative that our leaders at the federal, state, and local levels, along with community members, set an agenda and allocate a corresponding budget that prioritizes the public’s best interests on the issues of health care, economic security and opportunity, and education. Access to public and private libraries are integral to community development as well as to employment and educational opportunities, and it is time to recognize their fundamental roles in communities and fight to make sure they receive adequate support. - Kosi Harris - The Best Publicity Practices To Promote Your Library -- Libraries are under increasing pressure to connect with the media and to create publicity that will attract attention, create interest, and win support for their libraries and programs.
Understanding media and publicity can be a daunting task but with the right Public Relations plan in place, you can reach more of your community and promote your library in a way that build support from your local community members.
In this session, you'll learn how to:- set realistic publicity goals in 3-6 month increments;
- identify spokespeople in your library that can be introduced to media;
- write a press release;
- create and execute a successful public relations strategy;
- nurture relationships with writers and publications after a story is published; and
- collaborate with local influencers to gain publicity
- Daarel Burnette - What impact will the coronavirus have on school spending? -- The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on states' income and sales tax revenue, inevitably sending budget cuts to more than half the nation's districts.
In this session, Daarel will review some of Education Week's coverage of this current recession and talk about some of the budget cutting strategies states and districts are using and what practitioners can expect next. - Kimberly Gordon - Brand Strategy Made Easy: Start Marketing Your Library Today -- Marketing your library can feel daunting. Even overwhelming. You know you need to do it, but aren't sure where to start, or what channels to use, or how to even know if you're doing it right.
Have you ever asked yourself: - Does my library need an Instagram page? TikTok? Facebook? Pinterest?
- Do I need to create content? And what kind?
- How do I get more people in the door? And participating in more events?
- And most importantly: How do I make sure I'm building support for the funding my library deserves?
In this session you’ll learn how to take a strategic approach to set your library apart from the others, and then tell that story consistently and creatively across all of your marketing channels.
You’ll also learn how to:
- craft a brand story;
- differentiate from competitors;
- build a marketing plan and determine a budget; and
- launch, test, optimize your channels.
The curriculum will be easy to digest and incredibly actionable. You won't find any esoteric musing, corporate jargon, or theoretical advice in this session.
You'll walk away with a solid plan for solving current marketing challenges while making smart decisions to ensure you can reach your future business goals.
- Paul Westcott - What is voter & enhanced political data and how is it used? -- Voter data has been used in campaigning for over 100 years but in the last decade has exploded as a critical tool for campaigns and advocacy efforts. Learn the basics of what's available as well as some the ways it's possible access and utilize these powerful datasets.
- John Rowley - 8 Principles for Running A Modern, Digital Library Campaign -- Many library campaigns and political initiatives aren't run or managed by sophisticated and professional political operatives. Instead, they're typically people in the community who simply want to see their library improve.
But you don't need world class campaigners to help your library win. In fact, some of the most effective political advocates, campaign managers and leaders of issue efforts are not experienced political hands or grizzled political insiders. So, if you're just starting out, what are the key skills to have whether this is your first or 40ths ballot campaign or effort to use grass roots communications to get political leaders to do the right thing. - Anna Beyerle - Defining your audience: Identifying and targeting the individuals you want to reach -- Every business is based around their audience. A brand doesn’t exist without its audience, and your audience guides so many of your brand decisions.
But often, organizations don't have a clear view of their audience. And in turn, it's hard to make marketing decisions about where to be present, where to allocate marketing dollars, and how to speak to your audience. This session will be a deep dive into defining exactly who your audience is, and how to reach them. We will cover:- How your audience influences your brand and marketing decisions;
- How to audit your existing marketing efforts to see if you're reaching your audience;
- A guide to creating audience profiles;
- How to segment your audience by using demographics and purpose-driven objectives; and
- And how to create content catered to your audience.
- Caitlin Donnelly: Nonpartisan Voter Engagement and Ballot Measure Advocacy -- Non-partisan doesn't mean non-participation because there are plenty of ways to engage voters without wading into risky political territory.
This session will explore the rules around voter engagement and how to stay inside the lines regarding IRS restrictions on election related activities. Many organizations don't realize just how much they can do to further democracy and help the community they serve to participate in voting and elections. By helping people get registered, educating them about the voting process -- like how to find their polling place or apply for a mail in ballot -- and important dates, and making voting a visible part of your organization's culture you can help close participation gaps and create a more representative electorate. One major strategy for engaging voters is making sure they understand what will appear on their ballot. - Shawn Kemp - Using Facebook to Build community with ActionSprout -- How to use ActionSprout (which is free for libraries) to connect with more people on a daily basis.
Learn how to monitor local stories and fight mis-information as a trusted source of factual info. Tap the power of social actions to build an active community of contactable supporters. Monitor and moderate comments to inspire productive and inclusive conversations. And learn how to use the exclusive EveryLibrary topic feed to find articles worth sharing. - James Rachlin - Plan Ahead for Your Libraries Financial Future -- It's most common for libraries to budget a year at a time, but this year plans got derailed as COVID19 forced Directors and Boards to deal with the challenges, uncertainty and fears of interrupted revenues. Would better financial preparation have helped you know how well your library was positioned to withstand the virus?
Using the impact of COVID19 as an example, this session will discuss what it takes to be financially resilient, how to identify different types of financial threats and the appropriate response. We'll also discuss the importance of forecasting financial performance three, five or more years ahead of time, and how a financial projection can be used to expose your library's strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, a projection can show where trends are taking you, so that you can make modest course corrections over time rather than waiting until a problem gets too big to handle.