Welcome library staff members. This site serves as the online home for the Libraries Lead the Way community engagement and facilitation skills training. Here you will find training resources and supplemental handouts to support your community engagement efforts.
About the Program
Libraries Lead the Way was developed in response to requests by libraries in the NorthNet Library System and Pacific Library Partnership Library System. It is part of a larger movement in which libraries are more proactively engaging their communities to adapt their services to changing social networks, as well as digital networks. As the identity of many libraries has evolved, one thing has remained constant: libraries continue to be one of the most respected partners in the community landscape. Libraries Lead the Way seeks to empower library staff members with the skills they need to create more participatory meetings inside and outside the library. Program participants are building strong relationships with partners and convening a range of community conversations and gatherings to support progress on locally identified needs.
The project is coordinated by Jacquie Brinkley of the NorthNet Library System and guided by Carol Frost of Pacific Library Partnership. Training and coaching are provided by Common Knowledge Group.
The following resources are available to download:
- Libraries Lead the Way Year-End Report
- January 2017 Winter Webinar – Slides with Team Updates
- The comprehensive Libraries Lead the Way workbook used for the in-person workshop
- A tool to help plan more participatory staff meetings
- A format for facilitating simple conversations
- Tips for moderating a table discussion
If you have any questions or would like to discuss additional training opportunities, please contact Common Knowledge Program Manager William Cooley at wcooley@ckgroup.org.