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- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the author
- Reviews
with Gail Griffith, James Kelly, Muffie Smith, & Lynn Wheeler
Successful libraries are those that continuously learn to listen and respond, prioritizing an organizational approach that encourages library staff to work with each other as well as the community to create opportunities to thrive. That may sound airy and abstract, but in this book the authors demonstrate how it boils down to applying a handful of straightforward principles, which include
- intelligent risk-taking;
- learning the right things;
- respect and goodwill;
- fulfilling the vision of library director; and
- activating creative thinking.
With practical applications for hiring staff, coordinating an author event, creating a community partnership, and designing a building, this book walks readers through how to
- identify the community’s motivating factors and use them to guide priorities;
- create a culture of learning at the library;
- apply courage, curiosity, and creativity to cope with challenges;
- ask the right questions in order to get the right answers;
- draw out creative ideas from both staff and the community; and
- implement creativity exercises for problem solving that can be used by individuals and groups
Illustrated with stories from across the country, this book provides a complete strategy that will help libraries of any size or funding level amplify the skills and enthusiasm of library staff, getting everyone on the right page and thus leading to better service for their communities.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I Risk-Taking
Chapter One Startle Yourself
Chapter Two Learning the Right Things
Chapter Three Taking Intelligent Risks
Part II Treasure Those You Serve . . . So They Will Serve You
Chapter Four The Golden Rule
Chapter Five Respect and Goodwill
Chapter Six Think Things Through
Part III Become an Outstanding Library Leader
Chapter Seven Carnegie’s Light
Chapter Eight Getting Everyone on the Right Page
Chapter Nine Finding Treasures in Your Stacks
Part IV Activate Creativity!
Chapter Ten The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Chapter Eleven Tap into Creative Potential
Afterword
Appendix A Thinking Things Through
Appendix B De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Exercise Adapted for Libraries
Appendix C Sample Issues for de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Exercise
Appendix D Sample Programming Statement
Appendix E Sample Program Planning and Evaluation Guidelines
Appendix F Sample Event Planning and Special Programs Checklist
Appendix G SHAKESPEARE Interrogating the Text
Appendix H Suggested Resources
Appendix I Suggested Reading
Index
"Now that people have abundant information at their fingertips, what are libraries doing to survive? Not a handbook or a planning guide, this volume instead sows the seeds for discussions about the role of the library in the community, not only as an information provider but also as a portal for cultivating beauty, honesty, and the stimulation and enlightenment of society ... Librarians, board members, and community members with an interest in seeing libraries flourish will find many thought-provoking possibilities here and an optimistic vision of the future of libraries.”
— Library Journal
"Engaging ... Those who have an interest in seeing libraries evolve and flourish will find much to consider and reflect upon as they read the eleven chapters of this book.”
— Public Library Quarterly