As the role of the library continues to evolve, Michigan libraries of all types (academic, public and special) are the catalysts for building a strong community and preserving local history and culture. This workshop will help libraries rethink public spaces while collaborating with local partners. Learn how to do an analysis of community resources, how to contact people and how to propose partnerships that will strengthen current patron relationships and attract new users. 

Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.            
Registration and coffee

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.          
Community Development ... It's as easy as ABCD!
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) is a powerful approach to community development that will focus your effort on discovering and mobilizing the resources that are already present in your community. ABCD has been used successfully with community colleges and universities, municipalities and churches. ABCD considers local assets as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development. Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, ABCD draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future. It helps any group to identify the assets and the capacities of their community, map them and use them to make connections and make things happen.
 
ABCD trainer Kathy Methner will share the basics of ABCD and how it can be implemented in a variety of settings. You'll learn how to identify your community and their assets as well as your staff assets and how those connect with the community.
Kathy Methner, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
 
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.      
Table talk - Who is your community and how do you connect?

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.    
Break

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.       
Community Building Blocks/ Now What? Take it to the Streets
Learn how Michigan librarians were able to put ABCD into action by assessing community needs, developing a plan and assembling a team to address those needs and collaborating with community stakeholders for results. Learn techniques for managing projects and find out what worked and what didn’t.
Tim Gleisner, Grand Rapids Public Library, Juliane Morian, Clinton Macomb Public Library, Jill Porter, Traverse Area District Library
 
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.         
Lunch
 
1:00 - 1:35 p.m.          
Successes & Pitfalls from the Director
Are you the new kid in town? How do you arrive in a new community or step into the Director’s spot for the first time and instantly connect? Join East Lansing Public Library Director Kristin Shelley as she describes firsthand the successes and pitfalls of taking over in a new community. Hear how she learned to serve those patrons, deal with community leaders and develop a cohesive and inclusive strategy for community outreach and advocacy.
Kristin Shelley, East Lansing Public Library
 
1:40 - 2:15 p.m.           
Library Advocacy in Action Geek the Library
Learn how Michigan librarians are putting library advocacy to work in their communities.
Rob Wang will share how their very successful Geek the Library campaign is working in the Mt. Pleasant community.
Rob Wang, Chippewa River District Library.
 
2:15 - 2:30 p.m.      
Break
 
2:30 - 3:05 p.m.          
Six Steps to a Compelling Elevator Pitch
What makes a compelling and effective pitch? A good pitch should answer three questions: Who are you? What do you do? What are you looking for? Learn how to tailor the pitch to your listener and avoid the obstacles to a concise presentation.
Steve Feinman, Michigan Director, SCORE and Terance O’Neill, Gast Business Library, Michigan State University
 
3:05 - 3:25 p.m.
Table Talk – Creating and Perfecting your Powerful Pitch.
Work with the experts and your colleagues to outline and develop up to three elevator pitches based on different scenarios.
 
3:25 - 4:00 p.m.
Tips for Killer Delivery and speed pitching
This is an opportunity to practice and/or listen as you give your pitch to your colleagues speed dating style. 
 
4:00 p.m.       
Wrap-up

Registration Rates

Early Bird Registration Deadline: May 30, 2014

*subject to space limitations

Resources

The Library as Platform (pdf)