LIBRARY RESOURCES & BLOG
This area is filled with how-to articles, engaging conversations, and tons of examples of Catalytic Thinking in Action including actual planning sessions. Much to explore and learn from!
In Creating the Future’s immersion courses, one of the posters that greets participants is the one to the left here – Values as a Verb. Put simply, values are nothing but empty words if they are not put into action. At its August 2012 board meeting, the board of Creating the Future therefore discussed the … Read more
What qualifications do we want people have, to teach classes on behalf of Creating the Future? That question, in any other realm, might begin a conversation that brainstorms qualifications. People might suggest bringing in a faculty development expert. Others might begin suggesting one-on-one mentorships or online classes or other formats for instruction. The question would … Read more
What training do people need if they are going to teach on behalf of Creating the Future? What qualifications / qualities might we seek? Join us today at 3pm Eastern time, as we begin to explore these questions and more. Today's topic: What would educational programs look like if they are amplifying / accelerating a … Read more
Way back in the late 90’s, I was part of a thriving online community that felt like home to those of us who “lived” there. Then, after almost a decade, without consulting any of the community members, the organization that housed that community changed some critical parameters. And within a year, a community that had … Read more
Friday (tomorrow), February 22 at 4pm Eastern time we will be live streaming the continuation of our Branding / Messaging work. (For context, a summary of the first two meetings and the thinking that arose from them is at this link.) You will be able to watch that live-streamed discussion right here. (The video will … Read more
What is Creating the Future? And what language will answer that question with both the essence of who we are AND the power of that essence? Last month, two very wise souls – Dave Svet and Zach Braiker – spent a combined 3 hours asking insightful and probing questions, setting us on the path to … Read more
Our February board meeting will be Monday, February 11 at 1pm ET(NA). There are two items on the agenda that will significantly move this effort forward: • Review of our Resource Development Plan • Board Orientation: Incorporating “orientation” into the board’s ongoing discussions You will find more about both those items in the agenda materials … Read more
Last month, in 3 online discussions (complete videos of Meeting #1, Meeting #2 and Meeting #3) and several informal conversations, we developed the resource development plan for stabilizing and enhancing Creating the Future’s current efforts. This short video shares highlights from that plan, within the context of the mission we intend to accomplish. Looking forward … Read more
What changes when we stop “using and utilizing volunteers?” Nothing less than greater participation from the whole community, towards actually accomplishing your mission – according to volunteerism consultant, university instructor and former Volunteer Center CEO Lisa Humenik. This one simple change can lead to greater effectiveness for social change groups, and more engagement and fulfillment … Read more
I am at a Young Adults and Libraries Summit, listening to the final speaker challenge the audience with this question: “Why do libraries need teens?” Not, “Why do teens need libraries?” – the question I thought I wanted to ask – and to learn answers to. But the reverse… “Why do teens need libraries?” I … Read more