Sorry for cross-posting; please feel free to share with any Michigan or Indiana library staff!

Community Engagement is becoming increasingly important as libraries look to remain relevant in changing times. Whether big or small, rural or urban, libraries have become centers for dialogue on important issues, and are often seen as neutral, safe spaces for community members to share their voice.

Conversation Cafés are open, hosted conversations where people gather to make sense of our world. At a Conversation Café there is nothing to join, no homework, no agenda; just a simple process that helps to shift us from small talk to BIG talk, conversations that matter. With training, libraries can run this kind of dialogue using minimal resources, which makes it ideal for libraries of all sizes. This workshop will be led by facilitators from the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD), a network of more than 700 innovators who bring people together across divides to discuss, decide, and take action together effectively on today’s toughest issues, and the steward of Conversation Café.

Brought to you by MCLS and the Library of Michigan (with funds from IMLS) all interested staff from Michigan libraries can participate in a cohort at one of three locations around the state for just $40, including lunch! After a day of hands-on learning, online support and coaching will be available to assist you in implementing what you’ve learned.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this incredible, affordable opportunity.

You can read more and register here, but hurry! Registration is closing on Tuesday, July 30!

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Additional funding is provided by the State of Michigan.

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Jan Davidson

Project Manager

Engagement, Consulting, and Training

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS)

517-492-3811 / toll-free 800-530-9019 x111
davidsonj@mcls.org