Library Leadership Podcast

As a former Chapter Leader for Room to Read, Adriane Herrick Juarez saw firsthand the important impact that Room to Read has had developing 20,000 libraries and literacy-partnerships around the world and positively affecting the lives of over 11.6 million children through primary school literacy programs and secondary school girls’ education efforts. In this interview with Dr. Geetha Murali, new CEO of Room to Read as of January 2018, we take a global look at Room to Read’s model of deep, systemic transformation in low-income countries as they implement their vision that states, “World Change Starts with Educated Children.”

Through Geetha’s insights, we gain knowledge about what it takes to optimize organizational reach and impact with a laser-focus on an organization’s technical portfolio. This includes investing in proven solutions that address challenges for the long-term, while collaborating with communities, partners, and governments—something that all libraries must do. Come with us on an inspiring world-journey as we learn how to formulate and communicate strong, measurable results—moving beyond passion with hard work and best practices to create transformative change.

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Libraries are continuously looking for ways to improve and provide innovative services for patrons in today’s fast-paced information world. On this edition of Library Leadership Podcast, we talk with Kris Johnson, Head of the Learning and Research Services Department at Montana State University Library. She shares with us a process that her library uses called Design Thinking, which implements highly creative methods to provide responsive services.

Design Thinking translates ideas into blueprints for human-centered improvements by seeing things through their eyes. Kris points us toward tools that make Design Thinking something that anyone can do utilizing step-by-step resources. Want to really know what someone thinks about your library? Ask them to write you a love letter—or a break-up letter. Kris and her team did just that in a process called,  “Hey, MSU Library, We Need to Talk.”

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Welcome to Library Leadership Podcast as we talk with Jim Neal, 2017-2018 President of the American Library Association. He is University Librarian Emeritus at Columbia University where his responsibilities included the Columbia Center for Digital Research and Scholarship, the Copyright Advisory Office, and the Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research. He has a long history of ALA involvement leading to his presidency; has participated on numerous international, national, and state professional committees; and is an active member of IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations). He is a speaker, consultant, and published author in the areas of scholarly communication, intellectual property, digital library programs, and library cooperation.

On this show, Jim Neal shares his vision for ways in which libraries can gain support through demonstrating the positive difference they make in the communities they serve and documenting their impact. He provides information on a new American Library Association initiative to develop a Policy Corps of experienced leaders dedicated to advocacy and political engagement. He has witnessed positive movement on the ground during his presidential tenure, as libraries reach beyond boundaries to provide service. His insights on the important skills librarians must develop to be strong leaders and advocates in the profession will inspire you. Thank you for tuning in to this important conversation.

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Peter Bromberg is the Director of the Salt Lake City Public Library System. His office resides in a stunning downtown location with soaring views and spaces that inspire entry into a world of knowledge and exploration. Peter was encouraged by library leaders before him to participate in the 1998 Snowbird Library Leadership Institute in Utah, where he developed a great admiration for the Salt Lake City Public Library as the founding institution.

When he was selected to take over the helm, he held deep appreciation for the institutional history of the Salt Lake Library. He leads in a way that gives people influence and the ability to change the world in which they operate. In 2017, Peter eliminated all library fines, based on the core values of the library profession for equitable access. This elimination of barriers-to-service increased the number of borrowers, card registrations, and checkouts—and earned positive feedback from both the staff and public.

As an EveryLibrary (http://everylibrary.org/) leader since 2012, he’s been helping libraries across the nation ensure stable funding through campaigns to win bonding and tax referendum. For Peter, strategic planning is really road-mapping that is responsive to rapid change. It takes people out of organizational boxes and puts them into something more like clouds with borders that overlap. He encourages staff to fulfill the needs of customer journeys in which a request for a book on writing a resume may be understood as the human desire for security and stability. He gets out of bed every day with an intention to enrich the lives of people and to bring out the potential of all human beings to learn, grow, and create a better world. Find yourself enriched by listening to Peter’s inspiring vision!

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Jami Munk Carter is the Director of the Tooele City Library, just west of Salt Lake City, Utah. On this program, Jami shares the organic path she took into library leadership and reflects on her own vulnerability. She demonstrates the way that she genuinely connects with people, supports her staff, and selflessly gives back to the library profession—even serving as President of her state’s library association.

You will have your heart opened as she shares stories about the people who have walked into her life in the heart of the community, the library. She is thankful every day for the gift she has been given through the trust of those she helps. Give yourself the gift of listening to her reflections on the way libraries can change lives.

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Valerie Maginnis, Executive Director of the Teton County Public Library System, shares valuable thoughts on ways in which libraries can provide responsive community services and play roles in the economic and political dynamics that affect our communities. We hear her vision for providing free and open neutral spaces and ways in which libraries can maintain relevancy.

She shares personal insights on the role of libraries as collaborators, and ways in which she gets her message out to stakeholders. After listening, you will be ready to inspire your followers, to work collaboratively with library foundations, and to think about what libraries mean to you. Like a breath of fresh air from the Teton Mountains, this podcast will leave you refreshed and inspired.

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