Is facilities management, human resources, logistics or marketing part of your job description? Library professionals from the smallest to largest libraries will learn best practices for efficient library operation. Managing staff, time management and supervisory challenges will be covered. Also in this workshop, the latest marketing trends and ideas will be incorporated.

Schedule

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

9:30 - 9:35 a.m.
Welcome

9:35 - 11:35 a.m.
The Accidental Social Worker; Libraries, Equal Access and Mental Health Crisis Situations
In America there are, on average, 600,000 homeless people. Many individuals who are homeless spend their days in the library and other public spaces. This has been the topic of discussions, writings and research for over 25 years. In this session we will learn about mental illness, addiction and homelessness in relation to crisis situations that can arise. We will work to recognize signs of depression, anxiety, panic and psychosis as well as learning to spot the signs of a potential suicide. We will learn a few simple steps about how to respond to crisis situations. We will also look at the myths and facts surrounding mental health concerns. Michael Pyne has worked in social work for 30 years. He is a Mental Health First Aid instructor, oversees a team of 17 instructors who train this curriculum and he chairs the Suicide Prevention Coalition in Muskegon County.
Michael Pyne, Mental Health First Aid

11:35 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. 
Lunch

12:35 - 1:35 p.m.            
Marketing Library Marketing
Have you heard this advice, “If you’re leading a parade, make sure someone is following you”? In my current position, I’ve come to recognize that library marketing is like leading a very, very long parade. Keeping it compelling, fresh and fun and interesting can be a challenge. Some people question the need to promote the library at all. More people are convinced that they can do marketing themselves. You just make flyers, right? (Sound familiar librarians?) Throw in how social media keeps changing the “parade route” by altering the landscape and marketing libraries can be a struggle.
Heidi Nagel, Kent District Libraries

1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Managing Organizational Ripples Before The Tsunami Occurs
In 2011, Macomb Community College implemented a new era of collaborative leadership under the administrative umbrella of the Dean of Learning Resources and Libraries. Dr. Michael Balsamo, a career business and project manager, was placed in charge of a newly combined area with limited knowledge in the specific area of library resources. Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is a steep learning curve and no easy one shot course to teach all there is to know about the library processes for someone with no library background at all.

Experience the management techniques, skills and style that helped a NNLL (New Non-Librarian Leader) to successfully empower, motivate and build relationships among staff, students, faculty and administration. This session will discuss motivating employees to build relationships, breaking down of departmental silos, span of control, ripple management and organizational equity.
Dr. Michael J. Balsamo, Macomb Community College

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Collaborative Marketing Across Public, Private and Non-Profit Organizations     
Optimizing your marketing opportunities and expanding audiences often means leveraging your cultural capital, especially when collaborating with community partners. It’s important to understand the value of what each partner brings to the table and how to align with a diverse group of organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors while staying true to your mission. This session will discuss basic principles of collaborative business models and governance, processes for aligning interests and intersecting missions, organizing a unified marketing plan and staying on message throughout.
Kerri VanderHoff, Grand Rapids Art Museum   

4:00 p.m.
​Wrap Up

Registration Rates

Early Bird Registration Deadline: April 10, 2015
Advance Registration Deadline: April 23, 2015

*subject to space limitations

In order to qualify for member rates, attendees must hold current individual MLA membership. Organizational membership does not apply. For more information about MLA individual and organizational membership, please visit Membership Value and Benefits.