minnesota library futures initative
To Infinity and Beyond!
Public Library Association Spring Symposium 2011
InspirationNew Jersey Blue Ribbon Task ForceMid-Atlantic Futures ConferenceMN Office of the Legislative Auditor Report
on Public LibrariesNo strategic state plan for librariesGeneral threats and challenges to libraries of
all types
Why Multitypes Took the LeadMulticounty multitype library systems take
the leadTalk across the linesRecognize challenges and opportunitiesKnow the history of library structures &
issuesUnderstand the importance of vision and
planning
StepsMultitype directors committed to funding the
initial planning meetingsIdentified individuals and groups to
participate in a planning sessionIssued the invitationsHired a facilitator
Who was invitedRegional Public Library SystemsPublic LibrariesPrivate CollegesU of M LibrariesMnScu LibrariesMinnesota Library AssociationMinnesota Educational Media OrganizationMinitexState Library
First meeting—May 2010Goals of the Meeting
Agree that this was neededLook at process & proceduresCreate timelineEstablish subcommittees
Everyone showed up
Steering CommitteeExecutive CommitteeApplication DevelopmentFinanceSession PlanningRecruitmentResource & Support for Futurists
Other Steering Committee MeetingsJune
Accepted work of subcommittees Defined the Futurists GroupApplication processSession planning for Kick Off
What we wanted to happenIdentify challenges, changes, that will impact
libraries of all typesCreate a foundation for a conversation about
the future, change, and getting thereInvolve the library community in the
conversation
“Ulterior Motives”Introduce different types of library staff to
each otherEncourage recognition of the shared
problems and issuesEncourage acknowledgement that all types of
libraries matterMetro-centric attitude would be dilutedIdentify common challengesLeadership development
Accelerated timelineAim for Kick Off in October 2010Selection of participants in
September 2010Futurists report in May 2011
Envision the Library in 2025
Describe expectations for library service and ways to meet these expectations.
How?Have a facilitated, focused conversation about our future.
Expectation that the Library community would be involved
in the conversation, be used as resources, & and would be
informed throughout the course of the process.
No expectations that this Futurists Group would be able
to define how to implement changes.
Who?A group of designated
people to have the focused conversation…and then
could initiate a wider conversation.
Applicant CriteriaWork in Minnesota library or be a library
school studentBetween the ages 25-35
Questions for ApplicantsWhat motivates you to want to be part of a
group involved in making recommendations for the future of Minnesota’s Libraries?
Describe what comes to mind when you think of “Minnesota Libraries”?
If you are selected as a member of the Library Futurists – what do you hope is one possible outcome from the work of the Initiative?
Who Applied?83 applicants
6 School Librarians44 Public7 Special26 Academic
Selection Criteria & ProcessAll types of librariesGeographic representationEveryone read all the applicationsScored on a rubricFace to face discussion of applicants
Futurist Group Profile3 School Librarians3 Special/Other6 Academic Librarians12 Public LibrariansGeographic representation
Start the conversationOctober 18 Kick Off
Involving the Library CommunityEveryone invitedMichael Rogers, The Practical FuturistChristine Lind Hage, ALA Committee for
America’s Libraries for the 21st Century
First Meeting for FuturistsFacilitator to help them get startedLet them decide their own process, topics, &
procedures
Gave the Futurists the Keys to the BusDillon YoungJenn Straumann
ContactAnn Walker [email protected] to Patricia Post, Executive Committee
Planning Documentshttp://mnlfi.pbworks.com
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