Kansas - Group: Kansas Creativity

RE: How Royce likes to get creative

2009-10-29T13:54:28Z

How about another approach to getting creative. Just ran across Roy Tenant's posting. He thinks about creativity while expanding his tree house. You might wonder how creating a tree house relates to libraries. Wait for it... and check out his posting " The Joy of Creativity."

RE: How Royce likes to get creative

2009-10-14T16:28:39Z

Ahhh... I like this method. Sort of the "if you build it they will come" approach. I always like to get things on the calendar... that makes them seem real to me and I start working on them in a more focused way. Your method also fits with the idea I've seen suggested -- imagine the end result. What will it look like? It seems that's what you are doing when you put together the flyer at an early stage and then working towards it.

Nice Royce! Thanks for sharing.

RE: Library blogs with posts about innovation

2009-10-14T15:40:07Z

New post from Bobbi Newman about innovation
http://librarianbyday.net/2009/10/want-to-innovate-stop-working-so-hard/
"Want to Innovate? Stop Working So Hard"

RE: The ideas you will implement

2009-10-13T15:13:08Z

Like Brenda, I also want to work on training for SWKLS Member Libraries. I feel like a lot of times we don't get the training out to the individual libraries in a timely fashion. A lot of time they have already had to figure something out before we have had a chance to train them. Part of this is because sometimes we as a system we aretoo busy, don't have enough bodies, or because of poor planning. I think training to our small libraires is especially vital because of small staff sizes. They definitely need to get the information quickly. I think if we make training less traditional this should help with some of the planning. I like Brenda's idea of a focus group. I think a Training Plan is also a great idea. A lot of times we think we know what our libraries want, but we don't always know best. We have done surveys before, but sometimes we don't also survey as well as we should and the answers aren't always what we need. I think an open group discussion might be the way to go. A lot of our libraries have also expressed that they really like to have training in small groups. I hope to continue that aspect as well. I also hope as a system we can get more screencasts out to our libraries to help with learning. That way we don't have to answer the same question all of the time and the libraries are able to get help when we are closed or not available.

How Royce likes to get creative

2009-10-13T15:06:45Z

One of my favorite ways to brain storm about a new project is to make the flyer for the event.

I think about how long it will take me to get the project, in most cases a program for the public.

I put that date in. Dates are important , it can make or break how a program is received. Plant that date as soon as possible. Include the date as large as possible so it can be seen from a distance.

Next is the name of the program. I brainstorm about how to name it, keeping in mind that the name of the program is also going to affect how the program is received. Something catchy is nice for keeping that name in people's memory. Why do you think every department store have slogans for sales that are every two weeks? So they can make you think that they are offering something new.

"that book club for men"

This sounds a lot snappier than "Men's Book Club."

Then I think about some graphic, or photo to catch the eye as well. Do you think people will notice a book cover on a flyer when they are surrounded by thousands of books?

Most people get the idea that the event will be held in your library. But having a nice library logo somewhere on the page let people know that the program is put on by the library.

Putting something like "Ask at the circulation desk for more info on this and other programs" is a way to get patrons talking to librarians, and an opportunity for librarians to sell other programs to patrons.

Feedback.

Make sure to get feedback from co-workers and others about flyers.

RE: The ideas you will implement

2009-10-09T18:38:40Z

I am writing a training plan for NEKLS. I started as CE Consultant at the end of July. So far, I have been working with balls that were already in the air, wheels that were already turning. As we move ahead though, I want to really be thoughtful about the CE we provide. What would be most useful to our member libraries?

Many of the CE events are traditions. How can we know that they are still meeting needs in the best way possible? How can we break beyond what we've always done to keep things fresh and interesting?

To help develop this plan, I plan to hold a focus group with NEKLS member libraries. I also want to have in-depth conversations with NEKLS staff members, to find out what their thoughts are about where we've been and where we're going. I also want to view training plans from around the library universe -- especially training plans from organizations I consider innovative (like Infopeople, NSLS, NEFLIN).

I want the plan to be a really useful document -- something that guides the decisions and plans we make regarding training opportunities. I want it to be fresh and exciting, too. Any ideas regarding how to do this would be appreciated :-)

Thank you!
Brenda

RE: Innovation in Libraries

2009-10-07T12:19:39Z

Innovative use of Flickr
http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2009/10/07/a-future-library-service.html

RE: George and Joan's webinar - Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level

2009-10-01T14:44:51Z

I also thought this was an excellent webinar! I attend quite a few webinars and I think the thing that made this one so good (in addition to George and Joan being so knowledgeable) is that I had a specific project in mind as they were talking. I have an idea I want to implement (it's my project for this group, too), so as I was listening in I was getting great ideas. I felt engaged and excited.

Thanks for sharing your notes, Cindi. Here are some of the things that stood out for me (as you read through them, try to think about an idea you're trying to implement):
-- Keep the focus on the idea; not on you.
-- Root your idea in documented successes. Show how it's the next logical step. Know what people are already used to (historical context) and how how this is a step from that.
-- How will you be able to tell if it's a success?
-- Keep it simple and memorable. Don't get lost in your own jargon. Put the most important info first.
-- Cultivate a sense of urgency.
-- Here's what's in it for YOU... know your audience and what they care about. Think with their head rather than making them think with yours.
-- Augment your idea with others' input. Serve the idea rather than yourself. Give credit to collaborators.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it." WC Fields (quote they closed with) :-)

I highly recommending thinking of an idea you want to implement -- something creative! Something new and exciting! And then listen in to the archived version of this webinar with that in mind.

Brenda

George and Joan's webinar - Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level

2009-09-29T21:47:19Z

I sat in on the Joan Frye Williams - George Needham webinar this afternoon. This webinar titled, Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level was sponsored by InfoPeople. You can find the handouts and slides for the webinar at http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/328/index.html. (The slides won't help you much, but watch for the archive. The handout is power packed.)

Excellent webinar and right in line with what we were talking about in the Kansas Creativity webinar today. Here are some of their comments that particularly hit me where I live:

1. Every successful idea is rooted in some kind of assessment. Do I forget that - you bet.
2. Know your organization and your audience. Your ideas have to fit the cultures and aims of both to be successful.
3. State your purpose, expected results and the customers you are targeting - clearly, memorably, and simply.
4. Test your ideas in a safe environment, gather the feedback and refine.
5. Don't just explain, illustrate. Make sure everyone (colleagues and customers alike) know what's in it for them.
6. Expect objections. Listen for the questions behind the questions and objections and use them to improve your project.
7. Make sure to plan short-term wins to help you stay the course for the long haul.
8. Show your passion and invite everyone to join you.

Realize this is what I "heard" so check out the handouts and the archive yourself. Then share what you heard!

RE: The ideas you will implement

2009-09-29T17:56:27Z

I want to plan a 3 part online event on planning. This event will be held in an online environment like Wimba. Hopefully, the first 90 minute webinar will be an overview by Sandra Nelson. This session will be something similar to the session she delivered at the ARSL conference in Gatlinburg a few weeks ago. It will focus on the importance and benefits of planning. The second 90 minute webinar will focus on an action planning template and process. In the interim between the 2nd and 3rd webinars, participants will be asked to post their action plans to the event web page (on WJKS). The 3rd webinar will provide sharing and feedback opportunities for the participants and conclude with a discussion of implementation and evaluation. I also need to consider some kind of mechanism for follow up to help participants actually implement and evaluate.

You can find Sandra's handout, etc. online at Sandra Nelson's ARSL Presentation

Would love to get any feedback, criticism, ideas, etc.

RE: The ideas you will implement

2009-09-29T17:59:35Z

Wow, Royce! This is much more than just a job bank. I really like the idea of getting people in your community invested in helping each other. I bet when you start identifying the partners for this project you will get all kind of ideas for other programming, etc. that you can offer.

Great idea!

RE: The ideas you will implement

2009-09-29T17:19:01Z

I want to work on a job bank. I am not worried about getting the space, money, or materials together. But I am a little concerned about how I make it appropriate and awesome for participants.

Basically, what I am most concerned about is having it have that certain pizzazz that will get people excited.

One of my ideas is using our old server to connect a few computers to the internet and some of our old printers (that work just fine, we just couldnt get them to network right) and having our tech savvy teens be in charge of running the technology end of the lab and working on them if need be.

We are also thinking about having local businessmen come in to talk about what they are looking for in applicants, as well as people from the County Extension office to talk about resumes, cover letters, job apps, etc.

I was also thinking, just now, that having some retired folk who can help people out would be nice.

Have coffee and cookies too.

Not only do I think this could be a successful program, but the marketing and publicity it would provide the library would be pretty cool. Enabling us to reach some corners of our service population that we have not reached in the past.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome!
Royce

RE: September 29 - Webinar - Taking your ideas to the next level

2009-09-29T17:13:18Z

sounds like a plan

The ideas you will implement

2009-09-29T15:19:04Z

Your creative thinking has led to a brilliant idea. What is the idea? What are your implementation plans? What feedback would you like from the group?

RE: Innovation in Libraries

2009-09-28T14:45:49Z

http://www.librarybeat.org/longshots/play/187
David Gista Art Exhibit is Influenced by Libraries
art and libraries intertwined...

September 29 - Webinar - Taking your ideas to the next level

2009-09-22T16:09:51Z

Let's all tune in to the free Infopeople webinar, "Taking Your Ideas to the Next Level", presented by George Needham and Joan Frye Williams. It is scheduled for September 29th at 2 PM Central Time Zone.

More info (including handouts and script) here: http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/328/index.html

Library blogs with posts about innovation

2009-09-21T20:06:16Z

Eric Schnell regularly blogs about library innovation on his blog, The Medium is the Message. Here's a link to a November 2008 blog post, "Moving towards an innovative library." http://ericschnell.blogspot.com/2008/11/moving-towards-innovative-library.html

Helene Blowers frequently writes about innovation on her blog, Library Bytes. http://www.librarybytes.com/ Here's an interview Helene did with the MaintainIT Project, including an audio clip in which she talks about innovation in libraries. http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/spotlight/helene-blowers Here's a link to a presentation she gave called "Innovation begins with I" http://www.librarybytes.com/2008/11/encouraging-organizational-innovation.html

RE: Innovation in Libraries

2009-09-21T15:30:19Z

The Aarhus Library in Denmark is incredibly innovative. Their focus on the user is exemplary.
Here's a video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu7XciJi6xY and another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KsFrkxjtj8

ImaginOn http://www.imaginon.org A collaborative venture of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte. With cutting-edge services and library collections, award-winning professional theatre and innovative education programs, ImaginOn brings stories to life through extraordinary experiences that challenge, inspire and excite young minds.ImaginOn

The Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha, KS has an amazing Center for Lifelong Learning. In this video, Cathy Newland (former director of the library) talks about the Center. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Hvn5sPg8U

KC Science, Inc is another innovative project, which is a collaborative effort of many organizations in KC, including the Johnson County Library System. http://www.kcscienceinc.org/

Innovation in Libraries

2009-09-16T03:38:40Z

Here's where we'll highlight examples of innovation in libraries. Let's find exciting library projects and programs from around the world and try to understand how innovation was able to flourish there.