WebJunction

ILEAD U

Illinois Libraries Explore, Apply and Discover
The 21st Century Technology Tools Institute for Illinois Library Staff
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Project

The ILEAD U Steering Committee is looking for participants, mentors and instructors to implement web technologies that foster community participation as well as develop leadership, innovation and positive change. Project ILEAD U will encourage both the experimentation with and building of participatory Web services and programs.

Examples of participatory technology tools include:

The primary goal of this project is to help library staff understand and respond to user needs through the application of participatory technology tools and the creation of an easy-to-replicate model program.

As a mixture of leadership, needs assessment, technology tools, and project management, project ILEAD U will reinforce that 'Libraries should adopt participatory network concepts and software not because they are new or sexy, but because they match our most fundamental mission: knowledge creation and dissemination' ( ¹ Lankes, et al., 2007). Rather than build more Web sites and databases, the project will create an arena for library staff members to embrace their communities’ needs. Project ILEAD U will increase the expertise in the use of participatory technology tools to meet the documented needs of user communities/constituencies; thus, '…opening doors to the production of the Web, dismantling the current structures and inviting users in to create their content and establish new rules' within the framework of the libraries Web presence ( ² OCLC, 2007; 8-8). This project is intended to address the need for a sustainable technology immersion program that brings participants together to share in a curriculum with frequent venues for contact and reinforcement.

The Project ILEAD U design is based in part on the Illinois State Library’s (ISL), Synergy ³ : The Illinois Library Leadership Institute. The Project ILEAD U model will follow the proven, effective framework of Synergy by using a similar announcement and application process, three-session calendar, mentor roles, Steering Committee oversight, and facilitator responsibilities.

The schedule will include three in-person sessions held February 23-25, 2010; June 15-17, 2010; and October 26-28, 2010. These sessions will be held at the University of Illinois/Springfield (UI/S). There will be additional required virtual meetings.

In ILEAD U, each participant will apply with four other Illinois librarians to form a team of five ILEADers. Each team will have two mentors to work with the project team throughout the entire grant process. Each team will consist of library staff from at least three ILLINET member institutions. A master’s degree in library science is not required; neither is being well versed in technological tools, nor facile in using the latest Web-based technology. All project material will be available on Web Junction Illinois.

Participants will be Illinois library staff members who are innovative and interested in learning technology, and who want to join their users in virtual spaces. All instructor materials, rosters, and contact information will be on a thumb drive as well as on WJIL. All ILEADers will keep their thumb drives provided at no cost. Project teams will decide which library will own each piece of equipment. The owning library will make a 10% match toward the purchase of the equipment. After the project term, participants will be encouraged to present programs at library and education conferences nationwide.

With the exception of a 10% institutional match on any equipment purchased (not all ILEADers will have equipment that remains with their organizations), and travel and incidentals, there is no cost for ILEADers to attend ILEAD U. Meals, lodging and tuition are covered by the grant

The Steering Committee will encourage diversity by selecting applicants from a variety of library types, in areas representative of the entire state, as well as, different ethnic groups, gender, and other types of groups. Geographic and demographic diversity will be fostered in the development and selection of teams. Team member applicants will be required to justify their admission to the program, based on their constituents’ needs. Their application may target an un-served or underserved group or a perceived need.

Desired outcomes/expected results are that ILEADers will:

• be proactive about using participatory technology tools to address community needs;
• learn how to evaluate new technology and match user needs to the appropriate tools;
• learn how to implement basic constituent needs assessments, conduct basic project management, and assert leadership skills;
• mentor others in the profession on skills learned in Project ILEAD U; and;
• network with other library staff to foster future collaboration and sustainability.

Further, desired outcomes/expected results are that:

• the library staff members and library users will participate in conversations, projects, services, and programs in new and innovative ways; and
• library users will be better positioned to direct and optimize their library experience.

Learning outcomes include:

• clear understanding of participatory technologies and the associated terminology;
• being adept at using and teaching others how to use all tools;
• ability to create and conduct a basic survey in a community;
• capability to analyze survey results to design appropriate project that will benefit community;
• knowing how to articulate with others survey experience and results;
• understanding how to outline a project design;
• ability for thinking critically about project design and offering constructive criticism;
• ability to tweak project based on critique of group;
• knowledge to implement and coordinate a project;
• ability to define success and put evaluative plans in place;
• firm grasp of obstacles associated with implementation;
• ability to strategize to overcoming obstacles and explain issues to administration;
• knowledge of methods to improve successful implementation/adoption at the library;
• knowledge of successful/unsuccessful library adoption;
• recognition of when to adapt a project; and when to discontinue a project;
• ability to articulate with others obstacles encountered and ways to overcome;
• ability to form a plan to disseminate information about project to their community; and
• capability to articulate with others project ideas and presentations..

Application Documents:

Are you interested in a new initiative to encourage Illinois librarians to meet Twenty-first Century community needs with interactive, participatory tools? Do you want to be involved in a project that would develop your leadership and project management skills?

Participant- ILEADer/Project Team Application

Would you be interested in facilitating a new initiative to encourage Illinois librarians to meet Twenty-first Century community needs with interactive, participatory tools? Do you want to be involved in a project that would exercise your leadership and project management skills?

Mentor Application

Do you have skills in technology, managing change, project management and/or leadership? Would you find it rewarding to share your expertise with others? Are you able to convey knowledge to others in an exciting interesting way that helps them retain and build on the content?

Instructor Application

¹ http://informationr.net/ir/12-4/colis/colis05.html

² http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/default.htm

³ http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/synergy2009_ann.html