discovering opportunities in difficult times - abqla

May 8, 2010Quebec Library Association 78th Annual Conference

presented byPamela MacKellar

Discovering Opportunities

in Difficult Times

Welcome

Removing Barriers

Chapter 14

A funny thing happened as I was writing this book …

How we see things determines what

actions we take … including how we

respond in difficult circumstances.

This I Know for Sure

Part 1

A Closer Look at Obstacles

Budgets have been cut Hours decreased, positions

eliminated Libraries closing Not enough staff Not enough time Not enough money We already have too much work to

do

Some Common Obstacles for Librarians#1: The Economy

data from Library Journal’s Annual Budget Survey

We are just a small library in a little village

We are disadvantaged and underprivileged

We can’t improve on the services we offer

Self-perception

I’m not sticking my neck out for a new idea

We don’t like taking risks

Failure is not an option

We don’t know where to start

Fear

We’ve always managed just fine

Now is not a good time for new ideas

It will never happen

It’s not my job

Maybe some other time

Resistance to Change

My director/mayor/administrator is not interested

There is too much bureaucracy here to get that done

Our computers/network/software are too old

We already tried that and it didn’t work

Diversionary

What Obstacles Are You Facing?

OBSTACLESare

NEGATIVE THINKING PATTERNSthat result from internal or externalevents, factors or circumstances

EventCircumstanceFactor

CHOICE

Positive Thinking

Negative Thinking

Part 2

How You Can TurnObstacles into Opportunities

FirstBecome Aware

andObserve Your Thinking

Process

Learned Optimism Test - Dr. Martin Seligman Optimism/Pessimism Test - Human Mind

Project Spirituality & Health Optimism Test Optimism/Pessimism Test - Psychology

Today Positivity Test and Optimism Test -

Happier.com University of Pennsylvania Positive

Psychology Center Authentic Happiness Website

Links at www.accidentallibrarian.com/Resources

Take a Self-Test

Adjust Your ThinkingChange What You Say to Yourself

“You and I are infinite choice-makers” Deepak Chopra

Natural defenses sometimes kick inbefore we have a chance to think

Be Less Reactive and More Responsive

Eliminate these words Replace them withthese words

We can’t We canI don’t think I knowWe don’t have enough ___

We will make enough ____

I’m afraid of I’m confidentIf I willDoubt Expect the bestIt’s impossible All things are possible

Watch Your Language

Give what you are doing your full attention

Complete one task before going on to the next

Do One Thing at a Time

Know where you are going and what you are doing

Update Your Personal Mission Statement

“After my house burned down, I saw the moon more clearly.”Old Zen saying

Cultivate the Optimism HabitNotice What is Right

7 Preparedness Strategies

Part 3

1. Have a Strategic Plan in Place

This is a navigational tool that will guide you in difficult times

2. Focus on Your Goals

Let them guide you in everything you do.

3. Know Your Community

4. Partner and Collaborate

Businesses

Agencies, non-profits, organizations, clubs

Schools

Other departments in your organization

Other libraries

Museums

5. Follow Library Funding Trends

6. Stay Informed

• Subscribe to Library Grants Blog RSS feed• Sign up for grants alerts• Subscribe to online newsletters• Subscribe to librarian’s discussion lists

7. Keep LearningLearn New Skills

commoncrafthttp://www.commoncraft.com/

Learn About New Trends

SirsiDynixhttp://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php

Learn about Library Technology

TechSoup for Librarieshttp://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/events

Learn about Grants

Foundation Centerhttp://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/training/webinars/

Learn New Ways

Long Shotshttp://www.librarybeat.org/longshots

“If you think you can – or if you think you can’t … you’re

right.”Henry Ford

Thank you!pmackellar182@gmail.com

www.accidentallibrarian.com/Resources