Presentation Type
Presentation (20 minutes)
Presentation Theme
Reflect community values and needs
Start Date
11-8-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
11-8-2015 11:00 AM
Description
In the fall of 2013, the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) staff began training in the process and framework of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation; part of ALA "Libraries Transforming Communities" initiative. The basic tenet of the Harwood philosophy is the concept of "Turning Outward"; literally changing one's orientation to the community and not inward to your own organization. From the Harwood Institute; "Turning Outward makes the community and the people the reference point for getting things done."
Concurrent with the training MCLS began utilizing the new skills to conduct Harwood "community conversations" across the region. Conversation attendees were invited from all library types—public, academic, and special. As of spring 2015 MCLS has conducted over 30 community conversations in Indiana and Michigan. These conversations have included hundreds of library staff. The initial purpose for MCLS was primarily to facilitate greater engagement with its membership. However, almost immediately the potential benefits to the greater library community and the communities they serve became apparent.
Harwood community conversations are designed to take between 90 minutes and two hours. They are open ended, yet directed conversations with usually from 8-12 participants. The participants begin by reflecting and describing what their aspirations for their community are. The facilitator asks specific questions to explore those concepts deeper.
Within the framework of a group conversation information which would not be derived by survey or one on one interview percolates up. This information is what Harwood describes as "public knowledge". Working with the public knowledge those leading the process are able to identify themes, purpose, partners, and challenges to the communities' aspirations. According to Harwood, because of the common separation between formal leadership/senior administration and the respective community, this public knowledge is largely and traditionally unknown to the decision makers.
The purpose for these conversations is many fold. On one level they open doors for networking and collaboration that librarians of different types, or from different institutions, would never have know existed. On another level these conversations demonstrate to librarians the value of sitting down with their community, whether town, institution or campus. By asking participants the open ended question of what they truly aspire to for their community initiates a positive conversation. Often complete strangers, quickly find common ground and purpose.
The information gleaned from the conversations has been distilled and put into the context of "community narratives", living documents which reflect the aspirations and challenges the community members believe to be true. Subsequently MCLS has begun to reimagine services. Many current projects sprung directly from the themes unearthed during these community conversations.
This Conversations-Aspirations: Services reimagined program, will provide a brief background on the Harwood process, our steps getting to this point, what new programs derived from our conversations, and how our community has responded.
Included in
Conversations-Aspirations: Services reimagined
In the fall of 2013, the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) staff began training in the process and framework of the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation; part of ALA "Libraries Transforming Communities" initiative. The basic tenet of the Harwood philosophy is the concept of "Turning Outward"; literally changing one's orientation to the community and not inward to your own organization. From the Harwood Institute; "Turning Outward makes the community and the people the reference point for getting things done."
Concurrent with the training MCLS began utilizing the new skills to conduct Harwood "community conversations" across the region. Conversation attendees were invited from all library types—public, academic, and special. As of spring 2015 MCLS has conducted over 30 community conversations in Indiana and Michigan. These conversations have included hundreds of library staff. The initial purpose for MCLS was primarily to facilitate greater engagement with its membership. However, almost immediately the potential benefits to the greater library community and the communities they serve became apparent.
Harwood community conversations are designed to take between 90 minutes and two hours. They are open ended, yet directed conversations with usually from 8-12 participants. The participants begin by reflecting and describing what their aspirations for their community are. The facilitator asks specific questions to explore those concepts deeper.
Within the framework of a group conversation information which would not be derived by survey or one on one interview percolates up. This information is what Harwood describes as "public knowledge". Working with the public knowledge those leading the process are able to identify themes, purpose, partners, and challenges to the communities' aspirations. According to Harwood, because of the common separation between formal leadership/senior administration and the respective community, this public knowledge is largely and traditionally unknown to the decision makers.
The purpose for these conversations is many fold. On one level they open doors for networking and collaboration that librarians of different types, or from different institutions, would never have know existed. On another level these conversations demonstrate to librarians the value of sitting down with their community, whether town, institution or campus. By asking participants the open ended question of what they truly aspire to for their community initiates a positive conversation. Often complete strangers, quickly find common ground and purpose.
The information gleaned from the conversations has been distilled and put into the context of "community narratives", living documents which reflect the aspirations and challenges the community members believe to be true. Subsequently MCLS has begun to reimagine services. Many current projects sprung directly from the themes unearthed during these community conversations.
This Conversations-Aspirations: Services reimagined program, will provide a brief background on the Harwood process, our steps getting to this point, what new programs derived from our conversations, and how our community has responded.
