The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) introduce Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Models for Change, a free learning series that will teach library professionals to lead change in their communities.

In a series of online and in-person classes, attendees will learn how, when and why to facilitate conversations about important topics; how to bring disparate voices together in a productive discussion; and how to translate a conversation into a course of action.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) gives an overview of the range of models in dialogue and deliberation available to public libraries that serve large or urban communities.

• Gain an understanding of the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches and the types of engagement they address.
• Learn about actual applications of these approaches in libraries.
• Learn and ask questions about the approaches that will best meet their circumstances, engagement goals and resources.
• Learn about resources available to libraries and how to access them.
• Be introduced to the two approaches featured in this webinar series for large public library systems: World Cafe and Everyday Democracy.

World Café shares how collaborative dialogue — bringing together large groups of people in a series of small, conversational rounds — allows a larger community to engage in in-depth discussions together.

• Experience the World Café process.
• Learn the structure of World Cafés.
• Learn which topics and issues are best addressed using this process.
• Hear about examples of outcomes from World Cafés.

Everyday Democracy describes how their Dialogue to Change community engagement process can help library professionals bring people together and lead change in their communities.

• Gain a general understanding of Everyday Democracy’s dialogue-to-change process.
• Gain an appreciation of the central principles of community engagement that are part of that process.
• Learn strategies and practices for outreach and engagement in that process.
• Acquire a basic understanding of general principles of inclusion and equity that are central to that work.

In small, mid-sized and/or rural communities, the public library often becomes a de facto town hall. Through this important social position, libraries have the potential to make the most impactful change in their communities.

In this webinar, the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) provides an overview of the range of models in dialogue and deliberation available to public libraries serving small, mid-sized and/or rural communities.

• Gain an understanding of the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches available and how public libraries serving small, mid-sized and/or rural communities have implemented them.
• Learn and ask questions about best practices for achieving libraries' engagement goals.
• Learn about resources available to libraries and how to access them.
• Be introduced to the two approaches featured in later webinars in this series: Conversation Café and Future Search.

The Future Search process enables large, diverse groups to validate a common mission, take responsibility for action, and develop commitment to implementation through concrete action plans. In this webinar, lbrary professionals gain an understanding of how Future Search can be used in their internal and community engagement efforts.

• Gain an understanding of the Future Search method and conditions for success.
• Learn the Future Search theory and philosophy of facilitating.
• Explore how libraries can utilize Future Search in their communities.

Conversation Café, a simple, open-source method for small group dialogues on a variety of topics. They are great for helping community members learn more about themselves, their community or an issue, and the process is easily adaptable and requires minimal resources.

• Learn essential elements of hosting a Conversation Café, including format, set-up, timing and promotion.
• Learn facilitation skills using the Conversation Café principles and agreements.
• Understand how to address challenges and promote good dialogue in a café.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) gives an overview of dialogue and deliberation models suited for academic libraries' unique needs.

• Learn about the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches available and how academic libraries have implemented them.
• Start thinking about their libraries’ engagement goals.
• Learn about resources available to academic libraries and how to access them.
• Be introduced to the two dialogue and deliberation approaches that will be featured later in this webinar series: Essential Partners' Reflective Structured Dialogue and National Issues Forums.

Essential Partners shares how their Reflective Structured Dialogue method can help academic libraries resolve conflicts, restore trust, gain understanding and move toward collaborative action on campus and beyond.

Learn how Essential Partners' Reflective Structured Dialogue method can help create the setting and circumstances needed to hold curious and constructive conversations.

• Learn the pitfalls to avoid to prevent stalled or polarized conversations.
• Explore how academic libraries can help bridge divides on campus and beyond and help participants learn about one another and the world.

National Issues Forums explains how academic librarians can convene deliberative forums on important issues, thereby solidifying their role as a campus center for interdisciplinary and intellectual development while exploring pathways to civic engagement.

Learn why academic libraries should hold deliberative forums.

• Learn how academic libraries can use the NIFI method to bring students together to deliberate, review options and make choices about how to approach difficult issues and work toward creating reasoned public judgment.
• Explore how library professionals can utilize this model for educational offerings, as well as to aid the campus in decision-making.
• Discuss best practices for coordinating and facilitating in-person and online dialogues.