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A California Libraries Learn (CALL) Online Course

Start:
April 27th, 2021 12:00 PM
End:
May 31st, 2021 4:30 PM

California Libraries Learn logo

Please note: This course is only open to individuals working in a California public library. There is no cost to registrants – but space is limited to the first 75 who register. California Libraries Learn (CALL) is a collaborative project of the California Library Association and the California State Library, and is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Since CLA's annual conference takes place May 11-14, 2021, this course has an added week so there will be no conflict for people who want to attend the conference.

Richard MonizJoe EshlemanJo HenryCourse InstructorsJo Henry, Joe Eshleman, Richard Moniz

  • Would you like to help create a functional library work environment?
  • Would you like workplace communications to be complete and clear?
  • Do you want to foster teams that are aligned and focused on purpose?
  • Would you like to effectively handle workplace conflict among library employees?

Handling these situations can be difficult for staff and library leaders and everyone could benefit from a deeper understanding of successful ways to address issues in the workplace. This course will explore research-based, practical solutions to these questions and many more. Course content will first provide an overview of library workplace dysfunction and then will focus on exploring solutions through individual, team, and leader perspectives.

In this course, you’ll learn:

  • Forms of uncivil or toxic behavior found in library work environments
  • Ways that self-awareness can improve your workplace interactions
  • How we can treat ourselves with kindness in preparing to deal with difficult or dysfunctional situations
  • Ways that we can improve workplace communication
  • Options for confronting a workplace bully
  • Activities to reduce stress and increase resilience in the workplace
  • The importance of team design and how to create a functioning library team
  • Methods of aligning the library vision with work assignments
  • Approaches to building an equal and trusting work environment
  • To understand cognitive flexibility and the impact of cultural awareness in the workplace
  • Ways to facilitate positive productivity of library employees through empowerment

Course Description: This four-week course will include three interactive online sessions:

  • Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific
  • Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific
  • Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 9 AM Pacific

Please make every effort to ensure that you are able to attend these three meetings before enrolling in the course. If this is not possible, archived recordings will be made available.

In addition to the scheduled sessions, the instructors will provide resources, methods, and approaches that can be used as work to cultivate civility, resilience, and reflection in the library workplace. During the course, you will complete reflective activities and will participate in discussion forums, with an opportunity to share your experiences and questions alongside others working in California libraries who are interested in these topics, too.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see modules with these topics:

  • Week 1: Exploring library workplace dysfunction and incivility
    • Defining the dysfunctional library workplace
    • Understanding the prevalence of library incivility
    • Identifying toxic behaviors of staff
  • Week 2: Cultivating civility in the library workplace-individual perspective
    • Developing ways to increase self-awareness for better workplace interactions
    • Identifying ways to improve workplace communications in difficult situations
    • Understanding ways to navigate conflict and confront a workplace bully
    • Identifying activities for reducing stress and increasing resilience in the workplace
  • Week 3: Cultivating civility in the library workplace-team perspective
    • Exploring the importance of team design
    • Utilizing a team mindset and goals
    • Defining good teams verses bad teams
    • Developing a functional library team
  • Week 4: Cultivating civility in the library workplace-leader perspective
    • Enhancing the vision-goal-work alignment through authentic leadership
    • Connecting with staff to build an equal and trusting environment
    • Approaching conflicts with cognitive flexibility and cultural awareness
    • Facilitating positive productivity by empowering employees

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 hours per week, for a total of eight course hours.

Who Should Take This Course: California public library staff and administrators who want to help libraries be healthy and harmonious workplaces.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Keywords: communication, organizational culture, interpersonal skills, leadership, personnel