Glenn R. Miller, Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
The Office of Commonwealth Libraries has established a website that supports the Turning Outward initiative.
From it, you can:
- Obtain an overview
- View a webinar recording that describes what you would learn at the Public Innovators Lab.
Learn More about the Turning Outward Initiative
To provide more information about the initiative, we have one more webinar scheduled on Tuesday, June 20, 10:00 am to 12 noon. Register here.
If you aren’t able to register in advance, you can login here at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.
Turning Outward Overview
Key elements of Harwood’s training and coaching include:
- Public Innovators Lab – The Harwood Public Innovators Lab is a two-and-a-half day immersion in the Institute’s practice of Turning Outward. The Lab focuses on five key areas that help to drive the success and impact of local efforts. Lab participants spend most of their time in small groups applying the Harwood practice to their real-life challenges. The Lab sessions consist of self-assessments, frameworks, case studies, an actual community conversation, and a Public Innovators Collaboration session. All participants will leave the Lab with an action plan. It will be held Fall 2017.
- Learn and Apply Webinars – The Harwood Institute will provide a series of interactive “Learn and Apply” webinars that typically occur every other month following a Public Innovators Lab to reinforce the practice and work through critical issues.
- Workspaces – A Harwood Certified Coach will lead three workspaces (each one-half to a full-day in length) for participating libraries. The workspaces enable groups to collaborate and offer a cross-fertilization of ideas, opportunities for trouble-shooting, and the acceleration and deepening of applying the practice.
- Coaching– Harwood Certified Coaches will support those seeking to apply the Turning Outward practice to strategic decisions and actions and to embed the practice in the organizational culture of participating libraries following the Lab through September 2019.
For the 20 participating libraries, all Harwood Institute training and coaching fees, lodging and food expenses will be paid by OCL. Also, travel expenses to Harwood Institute trainings and regional meetings will be reimbursed at rates not to exceed those established by the federal General Services Administration.
About The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation
The Harwood Institute is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit. Their mission is to combat the divisions and inwardness in society by teaching, coaching and inspiring people and organizations to solve pressing problems and change how communities work together. The Harwood practice is a pivotal part of the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC) initiative, and the Harwood Institute has customized its signature community leadership training for library professionals. http://www.theharwoodinstitute.org/
Questions or Comments
Questions about the Turning Outward initiative may be forwarded to Brian Dawson, Director, Bureau of Library Development at: bridawson@pa.gov or (717) 214-4046. District library consultants, administrators and system administrators also attended a presentation last week regarding the initiative. They may also provide you with some insight.
Questions about the June webinars may be forwarded to Marissa Salzman, Senior Program Manager, The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation at: MSalzman@theharwoodinstitute.org or (301) 656-3669.
Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Room 200 Forum Building
607 South Drive | Harrisburg, PA 17120-0600
Phone: 717-783-2466 | www.education.pa.gov | @PaDeptofEd
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