MB Lib Conf 2010 Transforming Partnerships: Gerry Meek

• why we have to go out there, and how we can be smart about doing that
• trying to go it alone is not smart, esp in an increasingly connected world
• it's not how smart you are, it's how you are smart
• it's not just about relationships: it's ALL about relationships
• our culture loves things and uses people...but libs love peeps and use things
• business as unusual: libs have to communicate our relevance...what is valued gets funded
• libs are often overlooked / assumed / undervalued...so WE have to advocate for ourselves
• we need to reposition at the core of our communities (where the action is)...good eg is new MJLB in the "hub" of Westfort!
• renewed / reimagined / deeply involved...providing service WITH the community...a shift
• move from ME to WE
• pub lib as a community hub...of leisure / culture / learning / community development
• critical need to brand our industry...why/how are libs relevant?
• "an easy instrument of mass instruction"
• "a new community commons"
• language matters...eg: community connector, versatile social utility, community deficit fighter
• new messaging: the power "offering the gift of tongues and vast potencies" Northrop Frye
• what libs bring to partnerships:...broad community perspective, respect for diversity, powerful voice for inclusion, skill at finding meaning in the noise
• we are a profession of beautiful thinkers...we are link makers / collaborators / connectors
• public orgs can become isolated b/c they build walls instead of bridges
• benefits of partnerships: tap in to community assets / provide a critical mass for new initiatives / solve issues that cross boundaries / opportunity to redefine the possible
• we need to be at the RIGHT table...an not on the menu!!
• not enough to sit at the table...need to bring visible acts of community leadership
• partnerships @ Calgary PL....work in progess...intent to forge connections / position lib at the heart of community life
• started by looking at own image...the PERSONA of the lib: pleasantly mad place...sense of fun and a little weirdness (YEAH!)...
• Calgary Stampeede parade = huge networking event!...all the big community peeps are there!
• "cheap and easy" marketing poster!...says it like it is!
• wrapped bus..."rediscover"
• door hangers "another great thing to do in bed....read!"....
• "neatest people" campaign...very cool...neat peeps...others wanted to be "neat" so set up web site and peeps could write about why they're "neat" and what they do at the lib
• lib was green before it was cool
• knowledge increases with use (totally a renewable resource)
• re-branding: stage one... "everything you're into"...turning the breadth of the pub lib in to a strength....super fun poster series...engaging, different, not stuffy...illustraing "everything"...even in fruit displays at the superstore!
• second phase coming next "everywhere you are"...
• so everything you're into and everywhere you are...that is what the public library is all about
• how we drive partnerships at cpl...guided by purpose of the lib, passion of the sta sign in the fruit displays at the super store...staff and gifts of the lib and staff...sweet spot = conjunction of passion of the staff, gifts of the lib and staff...sweet spot = conjunctio of the three
• drive partnerships by: making them a part of everyone's job...encourage experimentation...ABC = always be connecting....leverage the power of personal connections of ALL staff.....***give peeps training re how to do this***...super duper...eg when going to a trade show: go around and introduce youself to the other exhibitors...people are afraid of failures...
• in libs things seem to want to be poop or perfect...don't set limits...listen with intention to our community...leverage every opportunity...cultivate the mavericks (the bees who don't follow instructions are the ones that find new sources of honey...so essential to the hive)
• everyone has something to offer...you need to find it
• partnerships are everywhere
• "noticing is the art of all arts" (Henry David Thoreau)
• look at points of interaction / fusion ...that is where ideas / innovation happens
• how do we position the lib as the place where new ideas are born?
• how can we turn these new ideas in to a competitive advantage?
• look for partnerships where gaps exist...+ where the lib has something to offer + where there is a need
• egs at Calgary: transition hours programming for kids (ie transition btn after school and when parents get home)...preparing for the aging Boomers (making the lib a place for them...three types: gogos, slowgos and nogos!!! ...lib needs to be relevant and useful to all
• look in likely and unlikely places...eg tattooed / bikers...have a biker partnerhip...what lib has to offer: info about mythology / for their tattoos...also helping bikers change their image
• think of lib suppliers as partners...how you can work together to mutual advantage?..eg staff @ warehouse, expediting distributi0on
  
• "it's a crime not to read" program...idea sparked by a staff person at a cocktail party (so go to more cocktail parties!!! ROFL!!!)...approached police services, got police officers to do storytimesl...connetion = reading as crime prevention...high rate of illiteracy in incarcerated peeps...also police officers wanted to get out in to the community...funded by Rotary...kids love it and police offices love it...addressing crime before it begins, via literacy
• "get caught reading"...for commuters on public transit...partnership with Calgary Transit Authority...lib staff go on public transit, and reward people for reading!...suggested transit measure the experience (ie "smiles per hour" vs. number of passengers)...wow what a concept for lib satisfaction too!!!....count smiles of staff + patrons
• Living Librar program BIG at CPL (biggest outside of Scandinavia, where it started)...growth of "neatest peeps use the lib" campaign...used those peeps...super popular...people in unique fields, alternative lifestyles, people with cancer etc...totally unlimited!
• "be part of a great story" book used to recruit partners and new staff
• Ecopalooza: enviro fair at the lib...first time the wide variety of groups got together...the lib became a place of convention...lib as a matchmaker...also lib was super clean after!!!
• link to emerging agendas: sustainability, creative cities, social innovation, knowledge economy, vital issues
• lib looks to how it can inform the community, and engage in vital conversations with them
• "vital signs"...what matters in your community...leads to vital conversations
• spcial areas of focus: 21st century literacies, early childhood learning, leadership development, ability to leverage, critical mass opportunities
• monthly leadership breakfast...invite community leaders to lib...mutual benefit is they learn about the community
• CPL has a manager of partnerships / splonsorships
• partnership partners
• each branch has a list of 25 key stakeholders + have to engage with them
  
• partnerships are the new norm
• need to be addressed in a strategic fashion
• shift from what the lib can do for others to what can we achieve by working together
• need new metrics for partnerships***
• we need to quit counting THINGS
• impact on our communities is more important that where we put stuff on shelves...
• need "feeling indicies"...the smile index / sense of belonging...so HOW are they doing that?
• hidden costs in partnerships: take time and attention...need to be committed to them...is like a romance! (in terms of the stages...glance / courting / engagement / marriage / (prenup?!...get it in ink!!!) / honeymoon / etc...rough patches / ongoing
• "Those who loose their dreaming are lost." (Australian Aboriginal Proverb)...as libs we need new dreams...
• how do libs achieve success?...by acts of relevance situated in meaningful action...wow that is a good one...
• where does magic come from?...
• from a tomb in westminster Abbey:....when I was young I dreamed...when I got old got cynical...finally realized would have to had changed self first"
• so magic comes from ONE / with YOU / ME...a decision to act / have a conversation...ask framing questions...WHY / WHAT IF...
• is our process worthy of the outcomes we desire to attain?
• possibility is everywhere
• take some risks...purposeful bold action
• when you take a risk and reach out, you transform yourslef