RA for All Virtual Roadshow Visits Lower Merion [PA] Library System

Today I am visiting the Lower Merion Libraries in PA, near Philly, to provide the afternoon sessions for their staff day. They have about 70 employees who will be participating in different ways-- in person in the same room, in small groups around the same computer, and even alone from home.

I am sharing these details because I think it is great that they are making an effort to allow for safety as they gather for learning. One of the things I talk about in my general RA training [which they are getting] is that when push came to shove and our buildings were closed, we all had to figure out how to meet, work, and serve patrons in a virtual environment and now, we can never go back to the time when we said this was not possible.

It is nice to see a library living in this new world, one that I argue is better for both staff and patrons. But back to today's schedule. 

I will be appearing virtually for 2 afternoon sessions geared toward all staff.

First, the 90 minute, highly interactive general RA training-- Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader. This program is the most fun you can have while still learning and bonding as a team. Seriously. I am not bragging, it is true. Why? Because for 3/4 of this program every staff member is focusing on themselves as readers. And all of us library workers know that while others think all we do is read, we rarely have a chance to read at work, let alone focus on what we like to read and why. But in this program, that is where we begin, with yourself as a reader. From there I bring you to working together and serving patrons better.

This program has slides but most of it is simply a recreation of my permanent Ten Rules of Basic RA Service page which you can find here.

After a 15 minute break, I will be presenting my Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers program. This is without Robin Bradford [reminder, she is only available 1x a month], but I do as much as I can to give some of her information [with credit to her] in this program. 

I am excited to interact with Lower Merion Library System today, to help them bond as a team, and to pass on the joy of service to leisure readers through the local public library.

I am currently booking 2022 training programs both virtual and in-person. Click here to contact me, or here to see my recent and upcoming clients and programs.