MCLS will again be offering, in partnership with the Library of Michigan, several training sessions on developing essential skills for library staff to facilitate effective conversations and meetings. These skills can be used in a variety of settings including staff and work meetings, strategic planning sessions, one-on-one interactions with library patrons, library sponsored community conversations, and focus groups. Training will be presented by We Can Work It Out, LLC. These workshops, to be held in May and September 2020, will include learning theory, as well as practice of skills and peer feedback. Because they are funded by the Library of Michigan, these trainings are only open to staff of Michigan libraries.

This year’s training sessions will be:
The Facilitator’s Toolbox – Part 1: Make your meetings effective, efficient, and fun!
The Facilitator’s Toolbox – Part 2: Practical skills for responding to conflict and coming to agreement.

The training sessions will be held this year in three locations on back-to-back dates, but will stand alone for registration. There are no special qualifications needed to attend Part 1. We hope many of you from all roles in libraries will consider how this training can impact your work leading and participating in meetings. There is a prerequisite to attend Part 2 that you either attend Part 1 prior, or have already attended We Can Work It Out’s “Basic training” through MCLS in 2018 or 2019.

Monday, May 4, Part 1, Lansing
Tuesday, May 5, Part 2, Lansing
Monday, Sep. 21, Part 1, location TBA
Tuesday, Sep. 22, Part 2, location TBA
Monday, Sep. 28, Part 1, location TBA
Tuesday, Sep. 29, Part 2, location TBA

Registration will be open soon, so watch the email lists and MCLS website for the announcement. In the meantime, we hope you’ll save the dates and plan on joining us this spring or fall!