Mid-Hudson Library System

“Turning Outward” is a process developed by The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, which entails taking steps to better understand communities, changing processes and thinking to make conversations more community-focused, being proactive to community issues, and putting community aspirations first. Each year, MHLS will work with a cohort of libraries to use the tools in Turning Outward to gather input from their community, which will be used in developing a strategic or long range plan to address community needs that resonates with library staff and trustees and the people the library serves. Cohort libraries will participate in monthly calls, which support them in meeting monthly goals, understanding Turning Outward concepts, and developing a strategic plan.

For more information, contact Library Sustainability Coordinator, Casey Conlin.

March 10 - Program Overview, Turning Outward Introduction, & Action Planning

Online Meeting Access
- https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/848098621 (this will be the link to access all of our calls)
Homework
- Confirm your library’s team roster Due March 1
  - Submit the names of your team members along with their email addresses and role at the library (trustee, staff, community member, etc.) to Casey Conlin at cconlin@midhudson.org
  - Your team should include 4 to 6 people
  - Your team must include at least 1 trustee and at least 1 staff member
  - The library’s director will be the leader of the team and primary communication point for this project
- Watch the Turning Outward Videos below – Due March 10 before our call
  - MHLS Turning Outward Cohort Program Introductory Webinar (48 minutes)
    - Please note: it is not necessary to rewatch this if you attended the webinar or watched this previously
  - Being Turned Outward (4 minutes)
  - One of the MHLS Engage Mini-Webinars
    - Engage Mini-Webinar: Mahopac Library and Community Conversations (17 minutes)
    - Engage Mini-Webinar: Kingston and Highland Public Libraries (23 minutes)
Relevant Resources
Call Recording
- Meeting 1 Recording

April 14 - Public Knowledge & Community Conversations

Homework
- - Complete 2021 TO Communication & Outreach Plan Due April 8
    - Email completed TO C&O Plan to Casey Conlin
  - Complete the Turning Outward Exercises below – Due April 14 before our call
    - Ask Exercise
      - Ensure each team member takes a turn asking the questions and answering the questions
    - Key Behaviors Exercise
  - Complete the Strategic Planning Exercises below
    - Conduct a community conversation with the library board – Due before conversations begin
    - Conduct an assessment of library usage and trends – Due before September meeting
  - Complete the Turning Outward Exercises below – If you have time before our next call
    - Turn Outward Quiz
      - Complete individually or as a group
    - 3A’s of Public Life Exercise
      - Complete as a group or individually and discuss as a group
Relevant Resources
Call Recording
- Meeting 2 Recording

May 12 - Action Plans in Action & Conversation Skills

Homework
- Start implementing your action plan and engaging in community conversations
Relevant Resources
Call Recording
- Meeting 3 Recording