Last week many of you heard about this program on the Friday library director call. We wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see the program here and review the details. This is a really unique opportunity to venture into some new models of engagement. No matter your level of knowledge around community engagement or your role in the library you can take part in this program on November 5. Check out the full details below. Libraries Engage Appreciatively for Positive Change (LEAP) 2020 MCLS, as a continuation of our partnership with the Library of Michigan and our shared Michigan Libraries Engage project, encourages Michigan library staff of all levels to attend a special virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. The program, called LEAP (Libraries Engage Appreciatively for Positive Change), will be an opportunity to learn methods and techniques for using Appreciative Inquiry to engage with participants' local communities and initiate positive change to ensure successful community engagement projects. Appreciative Inquiry is an approach to community engagement that focuses on positive aspects of change and drawing out and building on existing strengths. It also highlights the importance of collaborative conversations, dialogue, and stories. Who will be facilitating this program? Maureen McKenna of Return on Energy Consulting<http://returnonenergy.ca/about/>, an internationally respected and highly sought-out expert in the field of Appreciative Inquiry, will be facilitating the LEAP program along with MCLS's Engagement, Consulting, & Training team. Who are these workshops for and what will they cover? The skills and knowledge gained will support library staff members in both developing new community engagement initiatives and strengthening initiatives already in progress. It will help previously-trained Harwood Public Innovators expand their dialogues with new conversation methods, and assist those who have not been trained in Harwood methods to begin conversations. This program is for all levels and roles of library staff. Following the November event, attendees will receive six months of facilitated learning and coaching via Zoom meetings. Requirements for attendance This will be a highly interactive virtual workshop. Attendees MUST have a microphone enabled and turn their cameras on for full participation, and will be expected to attend the full day to gain maximum value of the program. There are no special qualifications or prerequisites needed to attend; we hope many of you from all roles in libraries will consider how this program can impact your life and your work engaging your communities in a variety of ways. When and where? Thursday, Nov 5, 2020, 9:30am - 4:30pm Eastern (8:30am - 3:30pm Central) with a break for lunch and several other scheduled breaks throughout. Online via Zoom meeting. Cost: Because the Library of Michigan wants to support Michigan library staff in growing their skills toward the goal of stronger community engagement, registration is highly subsidized and is just $40 per person, and includes all materials. Registration Registration is now open and first-come, first-served. Register today!<https://store.mcls.org/index.php/special-programs/libraries-engage-appreciatively-for-positive-change-leap-604.html> Questions? Contact Jan at engagement@mcls.org<mailto:engagement@mcls.org>. This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services<https://www.imls.gov/>. Additional support is provided by the Library of Michigan<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/>. Shannon White Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48909 Whites29@michigan.gov<mailto:Whites29@michigan.gov> 517-335-1507 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>