mn lib futures for pla annws

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 Smalleyann@metronet.lib.mn.us651.646.0475Thanks to Patricia Post, Executive Committee

Planning Documentshttp://mnlfi.pbworks.com