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Keynote — Wholehearted Libraries: Meeting the Needs of Community

June 15, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am EDT

Libraries have heart

We should bring our hearts to work, and qualities such as open-mindedness, emotional intelligence, and reflective action are all part of this process. Services steeped in humanism, compassion, and understanding should be the cornerstone of what we do and why we do it for all members of our communities, including the underserved. Not only do libraries need high tech, they also need staff who approach their work with a wholehearted attitude.

We should approach technology information work in all of its forms with an open heart. We need staff to lead with the heart and to see every interaction as an opportunity to improve someone’s life — remove a burden, give some pleasure, and help them grow, etc. The best library staffers make that emotional investment because they believe in the communities they serve.

Dr. Michael Stephens is a Professor in the School of Information at San Jose State University. His teaching focuses on information communities, evolving library service, and reflective practice for librarians. His research focuses on the use of emerging technologies in libraries, professional development and learning programs for librarians, and innovation in information environments. ALA Editions has published two collections of his writings: The Heart of Librarianship (2016) and Wholehearted Librarianship (2019). Michael resides outside Traverse City, Michigan.

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Date:
June 15, 2023
Time:
10:00 am - 11:00 am EDT
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This project was funded either under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Library Cooperative Grant program. Florida's LSTA and LCG programs are administered by the Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.