Library Advocacy Unshushed: Values, Evidence, Action

How can we strengthen libraries and librarians in the advancement of knowledge, creativity, and literacy in the 21st century? Though libraries have been loved for over 3,600 years, their relevance in the digital age is being questioned, and their economic and social impacts are poorly understood. What is really essential about libraries and librarians, today and tomorrow? How can library members and all who support the mission of 21st-century librarianship raise the profile and support of these timeless values and services, and ensure universal access to the universe of ideas in all our communities? This course is based on what works. We’ll take an inspired, strategic, evidence-based approach to advocacy for the future of strong communities – cities, villages, universities and colleges, research and development centres, businesses, and not-for-profits.

Coursework includes research on current perceptions of libraries and librarians, learning the principles of influence and their impact on advocacy, strategic thinking and planning in advocacy, and effective communication: messages, messengers, and timing.

Learning Outcomes

To give anyone, anywhere in the world, the opportunity to learn more about advocacy for libraries and strengthen the communities they serve.  Goals include:

  • Values and transformative impacts of libraries and librarianship.
  • Research on current perceptions of libraries and librarians.
  • Role of relationships in advocacy.
  • Principles of influence and their impact on advocacy.
  • Strategic thinking and planning in advocacy.
  • Effective communication: messages, messengers, and timing.
  • Acquire insights on your own motivations, reflect on the principles of librarianship, and identify what’s at stake.
  • Know key research relevant to advocacy for libraries. This includes evidence on perceptions of libraries, values and assumptions of decision makers, and the dynamics of influence.

Who Should Attend

Library professionals, and any community members who care about libraries and their impact on their communities.

Instructor(s)

Wendy Newman has contributed in administrative, advocacy, consulting, and educational roles to libraries and the communities they serve, and to library associations in North America and beyond. As a public library director, she has led groundbreaking partnerships that build community capacity and advance economic and social strengths.  A passionate advocate for libraries and librarianship in the public policy arena, she served on the National Broadband Task Force, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Smart Communities, and the Board of Directors of MediaSmarts.  Her consulting practice has focused on strategic issues in librarianship.  She is former president of the Canadian Library Association and a long-time member of the American Library Association. Among many awards for her work as a leader/advocate, Wendy has received the Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship from both the American and Canadian Library Associations as well as recognition for achievement at the provincial/state and national levels. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for community service. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Wendy has developed and taught graduate level courses in advocacy and influence for two ALA-accredited programs, and created the iSchool’s first MOOC in 2014. She is also the co-author of a forthcoming book on advocacy.

Gwen Harris is an instructor, instructional designer, and consultant who has supported the Faculty of Information and the iSchool Institute in developing and supporting online courses.  She holds master’s degrees in library and information science and business administration.

Carolyn Dineen is a student in the Master of Information program at the University of Toronto. She has a background in freelance writing and copy editing, and experience in academic and public libraries.

This team is supported in turn by the Open Learning staff of the University of Toronto and the Information Services team at the iSchool.

MOOCs are not for credit in degree programs at UofT but elements may be incorporated into degree courses.

Wendy Newman has contributed in administrative, advocacy, consulting, and educational roles to libraries and the communities they serve, and to library associations in North America and beyond. As a public library director, she has led groundbreaking partnerships that build community capacity and advance economic and social strengths.  A passionate advocate for libraries and librarianship in the public policy arena, she served on the National Broadband Task Force, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Smart Communities, and the Board of Directors of MediaSmarts.  Her consulting practice has focused on strategic issues in librarianship.  She is former president of the Canadian Library Association and a long-time member of the American Library Association. Among many awards for her work as a leader/advocate, Wendy has received the Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship from both the American and Canadian Library Associations as well as recognition for achievement at the provincial/state and national levels. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for community service. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Wendy has developed and taught graduate level courses in advocacy and influence for two ALA-accredited programs, and created the iSchool’s first MOOC in 2014. She is also the co-author of a forthcoming book on advocacy.

MOOCs are not for credit in degree programs at UofT but elements may be incorporated into degree courses.

- See more at: http://www.ischool.utoronto.ca/content/successful-mooc-library-advocacy-reoffered-0#sthash.GefTfXGl.dpuf

Registration

How to Register

Offered through the EdX consortium, in which the University of Toronto collaborates with other leading universities, “Library Advocacy Unshushed” is now available for registration via this URL: https://www.edx.org/course/library-advocacy-unshushed-university-torontox-la101x#.VLBbWGMpcin

Credits &/or CEUs Heading

Registrants are able to audit the course for free, and will have complete access to all the course material, activities, tests, and forums.  Students must obey EdX’s (the host website for the course) Honor Code, and if students work is satisfactory and they abide by the Honor Code, they will receive a personalized Honor Code Certificate to showcase their achievement.

Contact

Wendy Newman: Senior Fellow and Lecturer, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

Sponsor