Revitalizing the Library Experience: A Free Webinar

From InfoPeople:


Information has become an off-shored commodity. Google handles more questions in a second than a reference librarian will answer in a career. Social gatherings have moved to online networks. Why come to a library? For the experience! If your members still experience your library the way they did in the 1990s (1950s?), perhaps it’s time to rethink and revitalize. In this webinar, library consultants Joan Frye Williams and George Needham will reprise their popular presentation from this year’s ASCLA President’s Program. They’ll describe new ways to present your services to the world. By the end of this webinar, you will:


  • Understand the difference between passive and active library experiences, and how to make each work in your favor;
  • Know what makes an environment inspiring to independent learners;
  • Learn several ways to “layer” library services for increased impact;
  • See how you can plan library services around life’s predictable passages.


As always, George and Joan will challenge you to rethink how you do business, turning some old stereotypes on their ears while refreshing our notions as well as our services. The tips and techniques covered here won’t necessarily cost more money, but they will help make your work more valuable and more fun.


Speakers: Joan Frye Williams and George Needham.


Joan Frye Williams – For more than 25 years Joan Frye Williams (joan@jfwilliams.com) has been a successful librarian, consultant, vendor, planner, trainer, evaluator and user of library services, with a special emphasis on innovation, technology and emerging library trends. She is the president of her own library and information technology consulting firm. Joan is best known as an acute–and sometimes irreverent–observer of trends in what she calls “the cultural anthropology of libraries.” She is a nationally recognized library futurist and designer of innovative library services.


George Needham – Before joining OCLC in 1999, George was State Librarian of Michigan. From 1993 to 1996, he was Executive Director of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. From 1990 to 1993, he was Director of Member Services of the Ohio Library Association. From 1984 to 1989, he served as Library Director of Fairfield County District Library in Lancaster, Ohio. From 1977 to 1984, he held various posts at the Charleston County Library in Charleston, South Carolina.


Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 3– 4 pm Eastern/12-1pm Pacific

This webinar will last approximately one hour. There is no charge for this webinar. Pre-registration is not required. For more information and to participate in the November 17 webinar, go to http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/363/index.html


If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar. Check our archive listing at: http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list/archived

Lori Reed

Lori Reed, Managing Editor of ALA Learning, has more than 15 years experience in training and is the Learning & Development Coordinator for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library where she oversees the learning & development of a diverse group of staff at twenty libraries. Lori’s passions are performance consulting, learning strategies, and e-learning. Lori is coauthor, with Paul Signorelli, of Workplace Learning and Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers. Lori also blogs at LoriReed.com and can be reached at lori[at]lorireed.com.

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Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level: Free Webinar

Infopeople Webinar: George and Joan on Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level


You have a terrific idea for improving your library’s service. You excitedly share this fantastic new idea, only to have your enthusiasm deflated by picky questions, managerial indifference, or passive/aggressive resistance from your colleagues.


No matter how good your ideas are, if you don’t present them in a way that can be discussed and understood by the people who can make them happen, they won’t be implemented. You’ll be left frustrated. And your community will never experience that terrific new service.


This webinar will describe techniques that prepare library staff members at any level to present new ideas effectively. Participants will learn how to:

  • Demonstrate how your idea fits in with other organizational goals and practices;
  • Improve your empathetic skills, “think with someone else’s brain,” and anticipate how ideas will be received;
  • Identify the people who can assist you in carrying your ideas to reality;
  • Face resistance squarely and overcome objections;
  • Improve presentation skills so that a good idea won’t be lost in a substandard delivery.


This webinar will be of interest to any members of the library community who wish to see their ideas move forward. The tips and techniques covered here will also be useful to those who need to coach others in how to present their ideas more effectively. Participation by past and prospective Eureka! Leadership Institute participants is strongly recommended.


Webinar: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time: 12pm-1pm PDT
Speaker: Joan Frye Williams, George Needham


For more information go to: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/328/index.html

Lori Reed

Lori Reed, Managing Editor of ALA Learning, has more than 15 years experience in training and is the Learning & Development Coordinator for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library where she oversees the learning & development of a diverse group of staff at twenty libraries. Lori’s passions are performance consulting, learning strategies, and e-learning. Lori is coauthor, with Paul Signorelli, of Workplace Learning and Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers. Lori also blogs at LoriReed.com and can be reached at lori[at]lorireed.com.

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