Library Leadership Podcast

In July 2018, a Forbes op-ed column argued that libraries should be replaced by Amazon to ‘save taxpayers money’, which led to an outcry that resulted in the article ultimately being taken down.

Our host, Adriane Herrick Juarez, reached out to Kym Cadle founder of Pure Ambition a consulting company that believes living and leading with intention is paramount to creating the change that our current times demand.

Kym has taken teams that are experiencing cascades of rapid growth to rates of even higher success through building capacity for mindfulness and emotional intelligence.

In this interview, she turns her attention to libraries to suggest ways for creating the capacity to deal with unprecedented pace in a way that is intentional and informed by values.

We can all be involved to transcend stressors through a process of awareness, attention, intention, and action. Kym likes to say, “We can’t stop the wave, but we can learn to surf.” Listen as he shares ways to create dynamic outcomes by taking this stance. Kym can be reached at http://www.pureambitionconsulting.com/.

Have you ever had to have a difficult conversation at work? If so, you’re not alone. In an information landscape where change is the status quo, these conversations come with the territory. Being a library leader means knowing how to confidently steer these conversations so that they lead to productive results. On this episode Catherine Soehner, author of the book Effective Difficult Conversations, teaches us how.

Catherine Soehner is the Executive Director of the Eccles Health Sciences Library and is the Associate Dean for Research and User Services at the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library.  She provides vision and leadership for a wide range of library services delivered onsite and virtually.

Want to be an ideal library leader or employee? Today’s guests offer insights into just what that looks like. Dr. Anthony Chow, Associate Professor at The University of North Carolina Greensboro, and Ashley Conte, Librarian at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library, share research that examines what we all can do to up-our-game as both leaders and employees.

We all want to feel positive and engaged in the workplace. However, have you ever wondered how you can actually wake up on Monday morning excited to go to work, as well as foster this same excitement in those around you? On today’s podcast, we talk with Fatima Doman author of the book Authentic Strengths. She teaches us how we can create improved happiness and effectiveness in the workplace using positive psychology that capitalizes on our unique strengths. If we work in ways that utilize what we do best, we really can feel excitement about our jobs and appreciate the attributes that our colleagues bring to the table. Fatima shares a system to Explore, Empower, and Engage with our strengths to increase personal effectiveness and create success in our libraries.

Have you ever wondered how you can handle the many disruptors in libraries that threaten our relevancy?

Today’s guest Ranny Lacanienta, Director of Product Management with SirsiDynix, walks us through the many changes that have taken place in libraries over the past decades.

He shares the importance of creating experiences in libraries as a way to engage patrons for lasting impact. Memorable experiences create ownership, encourage pride, and develop a sense of community. As people meet, convene, and share ideas in spaces that positively engage their senses – librarians develop a ‘product’ that will never become obsolete.