Please excuse the cross posting.



Do you work in one of Maine's many small libraries?  Do you struggle balancing all the tasks you need to get done in the hours you have?  Is community assessment and library impact on your radar but you just don't have the time or the resources to get into it?



This day and a half retreat gives you the space and time to delve into the wonderful world of building better messages about library impact.  You'll be using your own annual report data and information about your community for your assessment.  You'll set up your own peer library group(s) for comparison based on criteria that you choose.  Finally, you'll analyze all the information you've compiled and create an 'elevator' speech targeted at a specific audience in your town.  But, even better than all this, you'll get to share ideas and issues with a group of librarians who are as interested as you are in building better messages about the impact your library has on your community. Bring a laptop with a spreadsheet program installed and your curiosity, ideas and enthusiasm.



Pre-Retreat Assignments

*         Monitor local newspaper, town social media to find out what people are talking about. Look for trends or themes and make notes!

*         Identify the libraries you want to compare your library to.  This can be based on geography, budget allocation, population served, library type, open hours, staff level or other criteria.  You aren't limited to just one peer group.

*         Bring a copy of the library's long-range plan and/or mission/vision statement.



Agenda

Day 1 November 26

1:00-1:15         Welcome and Introductions

1:15-1:25         Setting the stage

1:25-1:55         Community assessment overview

1:55-2:30         Community assessment work session

2:30-2:45         Break

2:45-2:55         Library assessment overview

2:55-4:45         Library assessment work session

4:45-6:00         Free time

6:00-8:00         Dinner and networking



Day 2 November 27

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-9:30         Library assessment work session (if needed)

9:30-11:30       Peer library work session

11:30-12:00     Hands-on with LibPAS pamphlets

12:00-1:00       Lunch

1:00-2:00         Build your case work session

2:00-2:30         Debrief and evaluation



This workshop will be held on November 26 and 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn.  The registration fee is $50 to defray the cost of meals and refreshments. Hotel rooms will be covered for attendees.  Registration is limited to 20 participants.  Please register at the statewide CE calendar (http://maine.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=4860 ).  You only need to register for the first day. Please make registration checks payable to Treasurer, State of Maine and send them to Cheryl Ramsay, 64 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions in the "Additional Information" field

Presented by Jenny Melvin, State Data Coordinator and Stephanie Zurinski, Data and Evaluation Specialist


Stephanie Zurinski
CE Coordinator | Data and Evaluation Specialist | LSTA Evaluator
Maine State Library
230 State Street
64 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333
207-287-5632