Revitalizing Communication and Professional Development Through Unconferences: The Brooklyn Public Library and Darien Public Library Experiments

Revitalizing Communication and Professional Development Through Unconferences: The Brooklyn Public Library and Darien Public Library Experiments
Gretchen Caserotti Head of Children's Services, Darien Library Lisa Chow Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library Mel Gooch Adult Cluster Specialist, Brooklyn Public Library

What is an Unconference?
Participant-driven
Professional development event
Collective knowledge of the group
Informal learning environment
Loosely based structure

Why an Unconference?
Flexibility
Open environment
Increased participation
Every person is an active participant & contributes their ideas, knowledge, and experience.

Principles
Four Principles
Whoever comes is the right group of people
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
Whenever it starts is the right time
When it’s over, it’s over
Law of Two Feet
“ Any persons neither learning
from nor contributing to a group
discussion must walk to another one”

Setting Up an Unconference
Set date/time/location
Reserve space for discussion groups to meet
Technology [if available]
Food/supplies
Setting up a Wiki to help
prepare in advance

Unconference Day Structure
Group meets together to vote on final schedule
Agenda is set
Information about meeting rooms distributed
Discussion sessions

Creating a Schedule

End of Day
Final session of day is a wrap up session
Brief summary of each discussion
Notes are placed on the Wiki
Wiki – place to continue the discussions

How did BPL ThinkTank come about? Idea proposal to management LibraryCampNYC August 2007 Idea came up in conversation with colleague about LibraryCampNYC BPL ThinkTank! May 2008 We got the green light! January 2008 Idea proposal to management Project team formed October 2007

Idea Proposal to Management
Management concerns:
Untraditional unconference concept
Anxiety about this new idea
Unconference = negative atmosphere and unproductive
Benefits of doing things
in untraditional ways:
A way for management to engage staff
Foster skills
Boost staff morale
Flattens hierarchy

What was the day like?
People (75 participants)
Meeting space
Tools: Laptops, Flipcharts, markers
Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate
Food
PM discussion sessions Wrap up session Lunch AM discussion sessions Opening session

What were the discussion topics?

The BPL ThinkTank unconference gave staff a chance to explore new ideas in librarianship freely in an open and informal environment. What were some of these ideas?

Clear and consistent communication
Transparency of processes
More training opportunities
Sharing accomplishments
Flexibility with technology

How did it go?
Very positive responses from participants
Management hosted three follow-up sessions with participants

What was good about BPL ThinkTank?

Did you learn anything new from BPL ThinkTank? If so, what? “ I learned that while certain issues may always remain in gridlock to an extent (stats for summer reading), it’s easy to gather together and make real and positive changes (greener libraries).” “ Yes, too many things to write down!” “ View problems from perspective of public service staff” as said by staff in technical services. “ staff thinking outside the box” “ How a wiki can be useful for exchanging ideas” “ culture of innovation”

As a result…
More transparency and communication
Integration of unconference concept into regular staff trainings

Lessons Learned
Have another round of votes in the opening session.
Perhaps shorten the AM discussion session slot.
Invite more experienced library staff.
Clarify the purpose of the event with supervisors.

"A fun, relaxed atmosphere truly fosters creativity.” – BPL ThinkTank participant

KidLib Camp 2009
Gretchen Caserotti
Head of Children’s Services | @gcaserotti | [email_address]

Genesis

Planning ~ Decide on your theme ~ Recruit key players ~ Pick a date & make arrangements ~ Promote where your audience is ~ Set up wiki

The Day
Welcome & Topic Voting
Assignments
AM Sessions
AM

Lunch
PM Sessions
Wrap Up Session
The Day PM

Outcomes

Outcomes Diversity Energy Intimacy

Lessons

Specific audience
Wiki sign up
Breaks allow more movement
Guide for Facilitators
Wrap up session more conversational
Lessons

Feedback “ It was a tremendously invigorating day”

“ It was fabulous - beginning to end. Professional, fun, thought-provoking and useful.”
“ It is a source for stimulating new ideas and approaches to common issues as we move toward service models for our kids and communities.”
“ In many conferences it seems like the programs focus on things like, how to set up a Facebook account. It was nice to move beyond that.”
“ Not only got me thinking, but got me excited about the possibilities.”
“ I changed my perspective on the use of computers with young children -- a direct result of the day”
Feedback

Flickr Photo Credits
Sunrise Mist - Indy Kethdy
Sun Worship - Maessive
One Sky: Here Comes the Sun - cobalt123
Going Home - Kuzeytac
Ray Working on Noboto - Raymond Brigleb
Thank You Gretchen Caserotti Head of Children’s Services | @gcaserotti | [email_address]

Creating and developing the “grid schedule”

Questions? Gretchen Caserotti gcaserotti@darienlibrary.org Lisa Chow l.chow@brooklynpubliclibrary.org Mel Gooch m.gooch@brooklynpubliclibrary.org Revitalizing Communication and Professional Development Through Unconferences: The Brooklyn Public Library and Darien Public Library Experiments Presentation on Slideshare:

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Revitalizing Communication and Professional Development Through Unconferences: The Brooklyn Public Library and Darien Public Library Experiments

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