You may want to form small groups of two to three participants to discuss a public library trend or issue. Each group might be asked to present a summary of their discussion back out to the larger group.
These discussions are meant to be exploratory and to generate thinking about trends in public library discussions. Participants are encouraged to take these discussions back to their library board for further information, learning, and possible board action.
The following are sample questions. You or a workshop facilitator may come up with different questions.
Identify a current or emerging issue in your community or in public libraries and discuss the following questions:
- What does this issue mean to you as an individual trustee?
- What have you learned about this issue from the media, your board orientation, or other parts of your life?
- What interests you about this trend or issue? Is it a motivating factor for you in your trustee work?
- Is this issue a priority for your board?
- How is this issue impacting your board’s strategic priorities, policies, work with local government, or establishment of community partnerships?