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Discovering Opportunities in Difficult Times - ABQLA

by Pamela MacKellar on May 12, 2010

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Presentation at the Quebec Library Association (ABQLA) May 8, 2010

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Presentation at the Quebec Library Association (ABQLA) May 8, 2010

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Photos: Who I am and How I Came to this topicBrief Bio – over 25 years experience in libraries of all types in all capacitiesMost of this time in NM where I’ve worked mostly in/with small, rural public and special librariesAlso as Technology Consultant in State Library- had the Opportunity to see bigger picturefrom the insidePhotos represent where I’ve worked and librarians I’ve known since going to NM
Wrote Accidental Librarian: basic principles and practices of librarianship for librarians without MLS and/or experience in librarianship - Removing Barriers Ch 14While writing Accidental Librarian, it came to me that there is something more important than our education or experience in library science.Removing Barriers and seeing opportunities is essential. Last chapter I wrote and most important.I observed that a library director in an affluent communities with many resources could see herself as poor and disadvantaged – and one running a library with NO BUDGET managed to find opportunities and run programs in spite of thisIt is a way of looking at things, a way of approaching things, or an attitude that determines whether or not we see opportunities or what we do in difficult circumstancesNot to do with predetermined external conditions 2 stories: Corrales and prison
This I Know For SureHow we see things determines what actions we take … including how we respond in difficult circumstances.What I will coverA closer look at obstacles and why we see themSome techniques you can use to change your mind about how you see thingsStrategies for being prepared to see opportunities
Slide 5Yes, these are hard times for librarians and almost everyone else.Cover of recent Computers in Libraries magazine portrays the dire situation
#1 Obstacle is the ECONOMYSome common obstacles for librarians today – result mostly from economy:Budgets have been cutHours decreased, positions eliminatedLibraries closingNot enough staffNot enough timeNot enough moneyWe already have too much work to do
How are librarians responding?Library Journal’s recent Annual Budget Survey reveals 16% library directors are positive/23% negative about their library’s financial future In my experience over the years, I’ve heard librarians tell me many reasons why they are not able to move ahead, try new ideas or meet new community needsThese are obstacles and they fall primarily into 4 categories:Arise from our Self-perceptionJust plain Resistant to ChangeFearDiversionary Reasons (It’s not my fault)
Self Perception: How we see ourselves sometimes determines our ability to move aheadWe are just a small library in a little villageThe library is not a priority in my townThere are more important departmentsWe are disadvantaged and underprivilegedOur customers are happy with things the way they areThere are no new community needsWe can’t improve on the services we offer
Fear: Sometimes we’re afraid. Sometimes we’re afraid to admit we’re afraid.We don’t like taking risksWe won’t take the chance unless there are guaranteesFailure is not an optionWe don’t know where to startWe don’t have the expertiseI’m not sticking my neck out for a new ideaIf it doesn’t work we’ll be a laughing stock
Resistance to Change: Just plain don’t want to try anything newWe’ve always managed just fineNow is not a good time for new ideasWe’ll never get the fundingIt will take too long to implementIt’s not worth the effortI’m too old for thisIt will never happenThey don’t pay me enoughIt’s not my jobI’ll get back to you on thatMaybe some other time
Diversionary: Blaming and finger pointing to divert attention. It’s not my fault.My director/mayor/administrator is not interestedThere is too much bureaucracy here to get that doneThe IT department/person won’t let usOur computers/network/software are too oldWe already tried that and it didn’t workFirst we’ll have to do research, feasibility studies and gather data
I’m sure you are facing your own obstacles in your library. Are there other obstacles you ‘s like to add to my list? Ask Audience~~~~What Are Obstacles?Most people will say they are bad things that happen to us, unfortunate circumstances in our lives or barriers that get in our way = All Outside of us, Things that Happen to Us, All Negative, All out of our control
But REALLY obstacles are learned negative thinking patterns that result from internal or external events, factors or circumstancesSeeing obstacles is a learned and practiced thinking pattern or way of seeing things
What Happens When We Focus on Obstacles?When we are focused on obstacles are apt to see more of themNegative thinking patterns create more negative thinking patternsWhen you focus on negative thoughts you make them stronger When you focus on what is missing you attract what is missingYou can even see real opportunities as obstacles if your negative thinking patterns have worn large enough ruts What Happens in Our Libraries When We See Mostly Obstacles? (More far reaching)We become less productiveWe are less excited about new ideasWe and staff around us become discouragedWe disengage at workWe go through the motionsThings start to atrophyThe environment around us becomes negativeValuable staff members quitNegative Library SignageCustomers are turned away … more negative things happen The good news is Negative thinking patterns are learned and they can be unlearned.
Explain DiagramYou have a CHOICE!What results from Positive Thinking Patterns?More productiveMore excited about new ideasMotivatedMore likely to approach a person, thing or situationOpen to new ideas and experiencesPeople like us better, we are more approachableWe actively engageTalented people want to work with usPartnerships and collaborations are more likely to establishMental set is tolerant, expansive and creativeWe are open to more opportunities Seeing the downsideTaking defensive actionBeing pessimistic Understandable first reactionsNews is badFocus is on deficitsHard to avoidThis is human natureWe were trained as children/upbringing BUT this will not serve you or your library well in the long runThis kind of thinking leads to a dead end You Can Change Your MindYou Have a ChoiceYou Can Decide to Focus on Opportunities Instead of ObstaclesWhat do you choose?
Title Slide: Doing the Work HOW? Here are some practical techniques:
First: Be aware of your thinking patterns and observe themHow do you think? How do you react?What is your predisposition? Are there certain ruts? Do you prejudge?Do you have positive or negative first thoughts to certain input?What is your internal dialogue? Listen. Pay attention. Notice. Observe. Be objective.
Self tests can help you figure this out if you’re having a hard timeThis will give you a starting point
Adjust Your Thinking and Change What you Say to YourselfChange the negative things you say to yourself – they prevent you from seeing opportunitiesYou learned to think this way, and you are conditioned BUT you can uncondition yourselfChange your internal dialogue – catch yourself if you hear negativityQuestion negative thoughts. Are they really true?Learn new things to say to yourselfCultivate a positive internal dialogueDesign positive thoughts to replace negative onesWe think what we want to think, so decide to think positivelyMake your mind work for youTeach your brain new tricksRedirect negative thoughts
Be less reactive and more responsiveNatural defenses sometimes kick in before we have a chance to thinkTriggered by fear and lack of confidenceThis is humanReacting without thinking can often result in negative responses (or Perceived)Negative reactions can often ramp up an interaction without intending toThink before you reactFormulate a response
What we say can reflect negative thinking ruts and defensive reactionsThink before you speakHow will the words you say be received?Phrase statements positively – the goal is a positive resultAim for a solution in what you sayDecide that complaining, moaning and reflecting “stuckness” in your words is not allowedGive examples of each in chart
Librarians have more to do with less time, less staff, fewer hours, fewer resourcesMore people than ever are visiting libraries and their needs are expandingIt’s easy to become overwhelmed with increasing demandsLibrarians use different skill sets at once, constantly moving from one part of our brains to anotherWe multitask – not fully attending to any one thingWhen our focus is not so great we are more likely to be interrupted or become distracted by the next task coming our wayHave you ever ended a day at work wondering what you accomplished?Even though we are trying to do more we are accomplishing lessWe lose our compass and fail to see opportunitiesSolution: Stop and take a deep breath, organize your thoughts or make categorized lists, and Do One Thing at a Time
Know where you are going and what your purpose is. This is your personal compassWrite a statement of purposeCovey, This I Believe, Personal Mission Statement WorksheetThis will help you see opportunities that are in alignment with your personal goals
Optimism is a form of reality, a way of seeing thingsAssociate with positive peopleSurround yourself with positive input (music, TV, radio, media)When you are feeling negative, talk yourself through itDon’t take things personallyWelcome positive experiences
Here are 7 strategies you can use to help you see opportunities that come your way, make informed decisions, be proactive, position yourself and your library ahead of the curve, move forward and build sustainability for your libraries How you position yourself and how you approach these challenging times is in your handsYour library and your community depend on it
Make sure your library’s strategic plan is in placeMake sure your plan is solid = unique plan created specifically for your library with your community needs as the driving force, community inputprovides solid foundation for all you doyou will know what you are doing, why you are doing it, where you are now, where you are headed in the futureprovides a meaningful purposenavigational tool that will help guide you in difficult times as well as in easier timesmotivates you into the futureallows you to integrate vision, mission, goals into what you do every day If necessary, update, adjust, revise or recreate the planPlans are living documents meant to be changed and adjusted as circumstances changeDevelop projects from strategic plan (know where you are going in the future)Example: Wealthy community member wants to know what you would do with a million dollars. You’d better have an answer. People are more likely to give to organizations that are clear about what they are doing and why
Know your library’s mission, vision and goals. Focus on meeting the needs of the people you serve. Design some projects that meet this criteria. This is your compass at work and tells you where you are, what you are doing and where you are going.This will help you see opportunities for your library. You are les likely to become distracted when you are focused on goals.
Communities are dynamic and constantly changingStay informed between formal community needs assessments by conducting short surveys, polls, small focus groups and informal interviewsAnalyze and synthesize census informationTrack demographic trendsIncorporate new articles (plants closing, companies opening new offices, latest unemployment figures)Know how the economy has effected your community and determine new and emerging needsLibraries that are valued highly stay ahead of the curve and offer services and programs to meet new needs before there is a crisisBe aware that the people who use the library are not necessarily the same as your communityOutreachPrepare a community profile and keep it on hand – boilerplate for grant, or for “ammunition” file
As budgets become tighter – more important to join forces with other libraries, organizations, agencies, schools, businesses or clubs, other departments in your organizationMaximize resources to meet common needsBe visibleGet out of the libraryTell people about your library’s plans for the future and project ideasShow up at meetings where collaborations and partnerships are being formed, brainstorming taking place and funds are being soughtYou have unique talents and resources to offerLibraries are ideal partners – serves all socioeconomic and educational levelsYou can share the responsibility for a project with othersPotential for larger impact and more sustainability
Example:Aztec Public Library, NMDigital Media Arts ProgramFulfills need in communityGoal and purpose drivenFunded by multiple sourcesMultiple partners involvedNew “library paradigm” model for community
Stay Informed about new funding opportunities
Keep LearningAbout your future projectsAbout library topics that interest youAbout grants and proposal writingThere are many free and low-cost learning opportunities for librariansHere are a fewCommonCraft
Sirsi/Dynix
Sarah Long’s PodcastsOnline academic classes Your provincial/ regional library/network/consortiaRead

Discovering Opportunities in Difficult Times - ABQLA — Presentation Transcript

Discovering Opportunitiesin Difficult Times
presented by
Pamela MacKellar
May 8, 2010
Quebec Library Association 78th Annual Conference
Welcome
A funny thing happened as I was writing this book …
RemovingBarriers
Chapter 14
This I Know for Sure
How we see things determines what actions we take … including how we respond in difficult circumstances.
Part 1
A Closer Look at Obstacles
Some Common Obstacles for Librarians
#1: The Economy
Budgets have been cut
Hours decreased, positions eliminated
Libraries closing
Not enough staff
Not enough time
Not enough money
We already have too much work to do
data from Library Journal’s Annual Budget Survey
Self-perception
We are just a small library in a little village
We are disadvantaged and underprivileged
We can’t improve on the services we offer
Fear
I’m not sticking my neck out for a new idea
We don’t like taking risks
Failure is not an option
We don’t know where to start
Resistance to Change
We’ve always managed just fine
Now is not a good time for new ideas
It will never happen
It’s not my job
Maybe some other time
Diversionary
My director/mayor/administrator is not interested
There is too much bureaucracy here to get that done
Our computers/network/software are too old
We already tried that and it didn’t work
What Obstacles Are You Facing?
Obstacles
are
negative thinking patterns
that result from internal or external
events, factors or circumstances
CHOICE
Positive Thinking
Event
Circumstance
Factor
Negative Thinking
Part 2
How You Can Turn
Obstacles intoOpportunities
FirstBecome AwareandObserve Your Thinking Process
Take a Self-Test
Learned Optimism Test - Dr. Martin Seligman
Optimism/Pessimism Test - Human Mind Project
Spirituality & Health Optimism Test
Optimism/Pessimism Test - Psychology Today
Positivity Test and Optimism Test - Happier.com
University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center
Authentic Happiness Website
Links at www.accidentallibrarian.com/Resources
Adjust Your ThinkingChange What You Say to Yourself
“You and I are infinite choice-makers” Deepak Chopra
Natural defenses sometimes kick in
before we have a chance to think
Be Less Reactive and More Responsive
Watch Your Language
Give what you are doing your full attention
Complete one task before going on to the next
Do One Thing at a Time
Update Your Personal Mission Statement
Know where you are going and what you are doing
“After my house burned down, I saw the moon more clearly.”
Old Zen saying
Cultivate the Optimism HabitNotice What is Right
Part 3
7 Preparedness Strategies
1. Have a Strategic Plan in Place
This is a navigational tool that will guide you in difficult times
2. Focus on Your Goals
Let them guide you in everything you do.
3. Know Your Community
4. Partner and Collaborate
Businesses
Agencies, non-profits, organizations, clubs
Schools
Other departments in your organization
Other libraries
Museums
5. Follow Library Funding Trends
6. Stay Informed
- Subscribe to Library Grants Blog RSS feed
- Sign up for grants alerts
- Subscribe to online newsletters
- Subscribe to librarian’s discussion lists
7. Keep LearningLearn New Skills
commoncraft
http://www.commoncraft.com/
Learn About New Trends
SirsiDynix
http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php
Learn about Library Technology
TechSoup for Libraries
http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/events
Learn about Grants
Foundation Center
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/training/webinars/
Learn New Ways
Long Shots
http://www.librarybeat.org/longshots
“If you think you can – or if you think you can’t … you’re right.”
Henry Ford
Thank you!
pmackellar182@gmail.com
www.accidentallibrarian.com/Resources

Discovering Opportunities in Difficult Times - ABQLA

by Pamela MacKellar on May 12, 2010

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Discovering Opportunities in Difficult Times - ABQLA — Presentation Transcript