Collaborating in Times of Division: Prototyping Your Community-wide EDI Strategy – Part I

Archive Part I

Archive Part II

Slides Part I (PDF)

Slides Part II (PDF)

Handouts

Ulab Sourcebook (PDF)

Jamboard (PDF) – from Part II

• Is your library grappling with how to authentically support our divided communities?
• Are you wanting to support your community in being more inclusive, but don’t know where to start?
• Are you unsure how to support equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) work in relevant and engaging ways to even your most “resistant” patrons?

This workshop highlights an approach to incorporating EDI and anti-racism into your library and its outreach strategy. Hear how Loveland Public Library & Poudre Libraries utilize free community engagement tools from the Harwood Institute & MIT’s uLab in order to establish a community-centered strategic plan and co- create with their community, prototyped solutions to local challenges. Walk away with scalable tools for your unique library & community!

Presentation Outcomes:

• Attendees will walk away with a toolkit of skills around community driven prototyping & participatory decision making that are essential to co-creating a community-centered EDI strategy.
• Attendees will be able to understand the difference between transactional partnerships and reciprocal partnerships and how engaging in a truly collaborative prototyping process with community members creates shared ownership, clear community-driven library strategy and ripple effects of action in the community.

You do not have to register for both sessions to attend. Both sessions will be recorded, and the archives available within a day or two. Registration is limited.

Registration link for Part I

Learn more and register for Part II

About the presenters

Diane Lapierre

As Director of Poudre Libraries, Diane works closely with community members, staff, and the Library Board to create opportunities and build connections to strengthen the community. With a strong foundation in advocacy and public service, Diane shares her commitment to providing dynamic, relevant library services to the people of northern Colorado.

Diane and her family currently live in west Loveland where they often see elk and deer wandering through their neighborhood. Dance has long been a part of Diane’s life and she regularly performs with regional flamenco dance companies.

Haley Sladek Squires- M.Ed., MLS

With a decade and a half of experience in libraries, nonprofits and schools, Haley is a knowledgeable, creative, and capable educator, facilitator & community organizer. She is passionate about equity, mental-health, neurodiversity-affirming spaces and community education. She currently works as a library consultant for Athenaeum Consulting and is a mental health educator for Tandem Learning.

Amy Phillips

Amy has been working in professionally in Libraries for over 20 years.  During that time, she has been fortunate to work in public libraries, an academic library, and a school media center. Amy holds a PhD in Library Science, and is am currently the Director of the Loveland Public Library.  Her philosophy is to create an engaged community through conversations, storytelling, and advocacy.