Effective communication is often what sets great leaders apart. Through listening, questioning, and refining, managers can assertively provide direction and effective feedback to staff. Learn about the importance of non-verbal communication, active listening techniques, how to influence others, and having difficult conversations with your staff.

Collaboration with faculty is a key component of librarians' jobs. Working with faculty on assignment design, instruction, student, support, programming initiatives, and research projects are a few of the ways in which librarians and faculty partner for student success. In this session, attendees will be introduced to best practices for working with faculty. Dr. Lauren Hays will share practical examples of how to approach collaboration and how to keep the momentum for collaborative projects.

Weeding the library’s collection is a vital piece of collection development because it provides a more accessible and attractive collection to patrons. Gain techniques for collection assessment, evaluation criteria, weeding policies, and best practices for weeding the collection. Provide effective communication about the process to staff and patrons.

Effective communications are vital for the success of libraries. Since most libraries have limited staff and financial capacity for communications efforts, it is critical to deploy these resources as strategically as possible. The concepts and skills covered in this course will help libraries approach communications in a way that builds commitment to their organization’s mission, strategic initiatives and outreach activities.

Many times, a project fails due to a lack of organization, communication, and planning. Instead of hiring a certified project manager, discover tools and apps designed to keep a project on track. Learn several free(ish) project management tools that can help a team successfully complete the project.

Managers and leaders leverage negotiation skills in a variety of situations, from obtaining team buy-in to defending library resources and services to resolving conflicts. Build familiarity and comfort with the negotiation skills and tools managers use in day-to-day work and alleviate the anxiety associated with workplace conflict.

A primary goal for librarians is to connect people with the information that they need. While librarians play a very large part in this process, we must not forget the role of library spaces. Libraries should be attractive, yes, but above all, they should be usable and accessible to all patrons. Develop the fundamentals for conducting a usability and accessibility audit for library spaces that will yield solutions for improving library layout, signage, and services, thus optimizing its usage.

Infographics effectively and efficiently convey data and information and are increasingly used in library instruction, advocacy, and marketing and communications. With an understanding of what makes infographics effective and how libraries and other fields are currently using them, attendees will explore some of the easy-to-use resources to create their own.

Middle managers are the liaisons between their employees and library administrators. Managers can feel caught in the middle as they listen to and serve both sides. Successfully working with the administration while fostering a rapport with direct reports is a crucial driver of success. Managers will gain a foundation to successfully manage from the middle by formulating strategies to build relationships, establish workplace balance, gain senior management’s confidence, and avoid common mistakes.

One of the most valuable assets for a library is the personnel. Managers are instrumental drivers in fostering, mentoring, and developing productive and fulfilled library staff. Improve success and overcome challenges in personnel management including hiring, personnel review, and addressing disciplinary issues. Examine the importance of staff development, coaching, and training.