Section outline

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    Welcome!

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    This course is for library directors, staff, and board members who are interested in developing better relationships with local government officials. It will provide ideas for language to use when talking about the value of libraries. 

    Ultimately, the goal is for you to have a better relationship with local government officials – one where you can work through disagreements, find commonalities, see value in each other’s work, and work together in service to your community.

    The contents of the course are from webinars and the Connecting with Local Government Officials handbook.

    • Course Information and Navigation Page
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      Participants will learn about

      1. How to develop better relationships with local government officials
      2. How to talk about the value of libraries

      Estimated Course Length:1 hour
      Continuing Education Units: 1 Credit in Library Administration

      Course opened on September 6, 2024.

    • Where We Start - Checking Current Knowledge Choice
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      Make a choice
    • Engaging with Stakeholders Book
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      Watch three short video segments for an introduction to this topic and to hear more about why connecting with local government officials is so important to the support and success of public libraries.

      Questions to Keep in Mind:

      1. How often do I connect with county or city officials?
      2. What types of conversations do we typically have?
      3. Are there obvious topics that we could be visiting about that are important to the local government and the library?

    • Logic Model for Stakeholders and Communicating Public Value File
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      Download and print this resource. You will refer to it throughout the course.

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    Connecting

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    Communicating

    • Start with the Big Issues Lesson
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      Spend at least 5 mins on this activity
      Go through the activity to the end

      Explore some challenges that many communities face.

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    Looking at Public Value

    • Add Value Book
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      It is often useful to learn from experts in other fields.  An economist's view is particularly useful for libraries and other public service providers.

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    Course Wrap-Up

    • Now that you have learned about Connecting with Local Government Officials, please consider these questions:

      • What new information have you learned?
      • What is something you need to learn more about?
      • Which MSL Staff member or other do you need to connect with?
      • Who can you share your new knowledge with?


      View, download, or print the Connecting with Local Government Officials Handbook