Workshops

The following list is not exhaustive.  New workshops can be developed on these and other topics.  Workshops can be tailored to fit the time requirements and special needs of most libraries, regardless of type.   Contact me to discuss your library’s needs.

Budgeting
Money Matters:  Tips for Planning, Preparing, & Getting Your Public Library Budget
Preparing and working with the library budget is one of the most important responsibilities of a public library director. In these tough economic times, it is even more important to perform this task well. The workshop will cover types of budgets, and tips and tools to assist you in your budget preparations.

Communication
‘Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy:  Communication Matters
We all “communicate” daily, but do we really?  The workshop takes a look at the communication process, communication styles, communication media and methods, and communicating through conflict. 

Customer Service
How May I Help You:  Customer Service in a Time of Change
These are challenging times for libraries, as we struggle to keep up with our changing landscape:  technological advances, greater demand for electronic content, budget cuts, changing patron expectations, and service desks that are busier than ever.  You may feel that “something’s gotta give,” but you know that “something” cannot be customer service.  The workshop contains tips on how to provide excellent customer service and improve customer interactions.

Open Meetings
What Libraries Need to Know About Open Meetings Law
Open meetings law places very specific requirements on governmental bodies, including public libraries, regarding noticing and conducting meetings. The workshop reviews the basics of the law. Be sure your board meetings are in compliance with the law, avoiding potential significant penalties for its violation.

Personnel Management
In almost every library, personnel costs make up the largest part of the budget, and the quality of your library’s service is determined in large part by the quality of your staff.   Develop a strong foundation for successful management of this most valuable asset.  A variety of topics can be covered, including:

• Hiring:  job descriptions, recruitment, interviewing
• Orientation, continuing education, training
• Personnel policies
• Evaluation, assessment, performance appraisals
• Coaching, motivation
• Discipline
• Termination
• Legal issues in hiring and employment

Policies
Public Library Policies for the 21st Century
Have you taken a good look at your library’s policies lately?  Do they seem to be from a different era?  Are you encountering new circumstances that your existing policies don’t address?  Do you find yourself thinking “they didn’t teach me how to handle this in library school!”?  If you think it’s time to make sure your policies are well-crafted to deal situations libraries are facing today, this is the workshop for you.

Statistics/Advocacy
Turning Your Annual Report Into Gold
The required State Annual Report is full of useful statistical and financial information that you can turn into a gold mine of information for officials in your municipality, to illustrate your library’s importance to the community and assist you in your efforts to advocate for additional funding and support.  The workshop will offer tips and examples.

Strategic Planning
Where are We Going?
Where is your library going?  How are you going to get there?  What are your priorities?  Public libraries can’t do all the things they would like to do with limited resources.  Having a strategic plan helps you make hard choices and allocate your resources in order to provide the services that are priorities for your community, and helps you show that you are making wise use of the tax dollars you receive.  The workshop examines the reasons for strategic planning, some models for planning, and how to go about creating a dynamic plan that helps your library answer the question “what difference does the library make?”