I've copied the following guidelines from Harwood Institute's "Authentic Engagement" framework. Not only are they helpful during community discussions but ideal in all areas of person-to-person engagement, including interacting with youth during library programming and working with colleagues in committees.
Have a "kitchen table" conversation of no more than fifteen people so everyone can participate and no one dominates.
There are no "right answers" since we all draw on unique experiences, views, and beliefs.
Keep an open mind, and listen carefully to try and understand the views of others, especially those who are different than yours.
Keep the discussion on track by sticking to the questions and not rambling.
It is okay to disagree, but don't be disagreeable. Respond to others as you want to be responded to.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
ALA Annual Conference Schedule (Planned)
Saw this article in the Canfield Neighbors newspaper!
ALA Annual Conference Schedule (Planned)
Items in italics are committee requirements.
Sunday, June 27
8:00 - 12:30 LNOSCY Committee Meeting
1:30 - 3:30 Question, Find, Evaluate, Apply: Translating Evidence Based Practice to Information Literacy Instruction
4:00 - 5:00 Japanese Paper Theater: Interactive Culture for Your Library
Monday, June 28
8:00 - 10:00 Dr. Patricia Kuhl, Co-Director of the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences
10:30 - 11:30 Books in Many Languages: Reaching Out to Youth in a Multilingual World
1:30 - 3:30 Developmentally Appropriate Practice-What is the latest understandings of DAP and how to incorporate them into quality services
4:00 - 5:30 Who's driving the technology bandwagaon - the users or the librarians?
5:30 - 7:30 Poetry Blast
ALA Annual Conference Schedule (Planned)
Items in italics are committee requirements.
Sunday, June 27
8:00 - 12:30 LNOSCY Committee Meeting
1:30 - 3:30 Question, Find, Evaluate, Apply: Translating Evidence Based Practice to Information Literacy Instruction
4:00 - 5:00 Japanese Paper Theater: Interactive Culture for Your Library
Monday, June 28
8:00 - 10:00 Dr. Patricia Kuhl, Co-Director of the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences
10:30 - 11:30 Books in Many Languages: Reaching Out to Youth in a Multilingual World
1:30 - 3:30 Developmentally Appropriate Practice-What is the latest understandings of DAP and how to incorporate them into quality services
4:00 - 5:30 Who's driving the technology bandwagaon - the users or the librarians?
5:30 - 7:30 Poetry Blast
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Changing a Community
Since February, I have been in conversation with a committee of individuals who represent various groups within the Youngstown area community. These individuals include several of the members of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County's Board of Trustees.
Such conversations serve not only to broaden our individual views of our community, they also will inform the Board's decisions as the institution tries to work through last year's 31% decrease in funding from the State of Ohio.
Our conversations are inspired by the Harwood Institute's philosophies and "frameworks" and never cease to give me "food for thought." A few issues that I see as crucial in effecting change in our community are the needs to:
Connect to what people believe in
Collaborate
Celebrate
Educate
Communicate
Accept Personal Responsibility
Overall, I think one needs to accept change and see the positive. While we hope that others might also value and contribute to our community, the ones who hope and act will be the ones to propel the community forward. As one committee member story-shared ... :
One day, I drove past a car that had gotten stuck on the side of the rode. Those trying to free it, were pushing behind the wheel that was stuck, and that's not the best way to free a stuck car ... You need to push behind the wheel that already has the traction.
If we see our community as the broken down car, we shouldn't waste our effort pushing the inactive or negative community member. We get behind the figurehead who's creating the change we want to see.
Such conversations serve not only to broaden our individual views of our community, they also will inform the Board's decisions as the institution tries to work through last year's 31% decrease in funding from the State of Ohio.
Our conversations are inspired by the Harwood Institute's philosophies and "frameworks" and never cease to give me "food for thought." A few issues that I see as crucial in effecting change in our community are the needs to:
Connect to what people believe in
Collaborate
Celebrate
Educate
Communicate
Accept Personal Responsibility
Overall, I think one needs to accept change and see the positive. While we hope that others might also value and contribute to our community, the ones who hope and act will be the ones to propel the community forward. As one committee member story-shared ... :
One day, I drove past a car that had gotten stuck on the side of the rode. Those trying to free it, were pushing behind the wheel that was stuck, and that's not the best way to free a stuck car ... You need to push behind the wheel that already has the traction.
If we see our community as the broken down car, we shouldn't waste our effort pushing the inactive or negative community member. We get behind the figurehead who's creating the change we want to see.
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