Save the Date – Registration Coming This Fall

Libraries and librarians must look beyond our present-day models, assumptions, and ideas to recognize external disruptors on the horizon of our profession alongside broader emerging patterns to “create functional views of alternative futures and possibilities.” The Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development (DLD) has identified Strategic Foresight as a critical discipline for librarians now. Strategic Foresight training can provide librarians with the skills to plan for future shifts. We all want to “ensure that our libraries are ready to adapt and serve the ever-changing needs of their communities.” In this interactive session you will learn about and use selected Foresight tools to transform your mindset to think more about how you and your libraries can create their future.

• Upon completion of session, participants will understand how Strategic Foresight can be used as an operating system in their library to support decision making, strategic planning, cultural transformation, and professional development.
• Upon completion of session, participants will understand how Strategic Foresight offers an opportunity to create a community of future-focused and future-empowered librarians.
• Participants can identify the key to transforming the culture of the library by ensuring librarians are community champions equipped to map the future to inform decision making in the present.
• Participants will be able to identify a trend within a driver category; understand near-term example of trend and provocative example of trend to identify implications of the trend on libraries

This day long workshop will be facilitated by Dawn LaValle. Dawn is the Director of the Division of Library Development for the Connecticut State Library. Dawn is a recognized Aspen Re-Envisioning Public Libraries Expert; a Certified Strategic Foresight Practitioner, and a Disruption Navigator for Libraries, she is focused on fostering a more collaborative innovative culture, library services and solutions and to instill 21st mindsets in the next generation of library leaders. She most recently served as a consultant to the Dubai Public Library System, in the framing of a strategy to re-envision the future state of libraries as 21st Century anchors of the community and innovation destinations.

Here is a wonderful introduction to Dawn LaValle and Strategic Foresight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZNkPCLamwY.

This event will be open to two representatives from each NEKLS member public library, and will be held all day at Maceli’s Banquet Hall in downtown Lawrence. We will be having a macaroni and cheese bar with all of the fixings for lunch, no cost to our participants – this course is on us!