In 2018, CLA piloted three short format workshops around the State based on the NexusLAB curriculum, developed by Educopia and the Center for Creative Leadership and funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Topics, dates, and locations are listed below.
Workshops were limited to 50 participants each. A cohort of 15 people has been selected through an application process to attend all 3 workshops. The cohort will receive funding for travel expenses and will be expected to participate in a more thorough evaluation process to help gauge the efficacy of this training model. Additional spots will be released on a first-come, first-served basis prior to each workshop. Workshops for 2018/19 will be free.
2017/2018 Workshops
Innovation and Creativity
Thursday, January 18th, 2018 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Mission Viejo Library
This 3-hour workshop is based on design thinking and introduces participants to strategies and practices that foster a culture of innovation and experimentation. Discussion includes barriers and motivations for innovation, how innovation crosses boundaries, the importance of rapid iteration and documentation in learning from innovation, and strategies to balance risk and innovation.
This workshop will include a mix of lecture, small-group discussion, and hands-on practice. Activities are designed to help participants get out of their day-to-day distractions and practice a creative and innovative mindset. Participants will leave with a deeper knowledge of what innovation means, the ability to apply techniques in their workplace, and an understanding how to accept and positively build upon disruption and failure.
Motivating Change
Thursday, February 15th, 2018 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Woodward Park Regional Library, Fresno
This 3-hour workshop focuses on communicating about change to different audiences. Participants will practice drafting key and consistent messages, including learning how to target those messages. Topics include why it is necessary to build a case for change and how to craft that case, including articulating a goal, framing the message, re-framing as necessary, and delivering the message.
The workshop will include a mix of lecture, small-group discussion, and hands-on practice. Participants will leave with a completed plan identifying a goal for articulating the case for change to target groups and strategies for communicating that goal.
This workshop will be taught by David Baker, JD, of Giving Design. David has provided comprehensive fund development services to public libraries as well as library friends and foundations for the past 16 years. He has consulted with libraries in California, Ohio,
Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas and Tennessee.
Engaging Diverse Groups to Lead Change
Thursday, March 8th, 2018 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Carmichael Branch, Sacramento Public Library.
This 3-hour workshop focuses on building a team that can lead change. “Team” in this context is considered broadly and includes diverse stakeholders who, together, can make bringing about change more likely than if it comes from a single voice. Participants will identify who these stakeholders are for the change they are targeting and develop expertise in techniques to bring the group together and successfully engage both allies and opponents.
The workshop will include a mix of lecture, small-group discussion, and hands-on practice. Participants will leave with a toolbox and plan identifying which stakeholders to engage at what part of the process, an understanding of how to align messaging with stakeholders’ goals and motivations, and techniques for engaging even unlikely candidates in the achievement of the goal.
Presenter: Elizabeth Goldman
Elizabeth Goldman is the Library Services Director for the City of Burbank and has previously worked at rural, suburban and urban libraries in California, Michigan and Canada. She has built her career on bringing people together to embrace change – helping libraries modernize, be more responsive to their communities, and improve programs and services on limited budgets. Since falling into technology training early in her career, she has done extensive work in teaching and facilitation for libraries and other community groups on subjects from technology to strategic planning to advocacy and leadership. A graduate of the Michigan Library Association Leadership Academy, she has served on the boards of the Ontario Library Association and California Library Association.