#EBLIPRG 30 June facilitated from Dublin

By @LAICDGroup and Suzana Sukovic

#EBLIPRG (Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Reading Group) is delighted to announce its first international facilitator. 

LAI Career Development Group from Dublin (@LAICDGroup on Twitter) is organising the next meeting. Facilitation will be a collaborative effort by the following @LAICDGroup members:

• Genevieve Larkin, Assistant Librarian, Marino Institute of Education - @genevievela
• Marta Bustillo, Assistant Librarian, Digital Resources and Imaging Services, The Library of Trinity College
• Grace Hillis, Librarian, Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services - @Graceih
• Laura Zaliene, Library Assistant, University College Dublin - @LauraZaliene

Their selected article is, most appropriately, a result of international collaboration. @LAICDGroup forwarded the details below in preparation for our meeting. 

ARTICLE:
Pan, Denise & Howard, Zaana (2010) Distributing leadership and cultivating dialogue with collaborative EBIP. Library Management, 31(7), pp. 494-504. 


ABSTRACT:
“Shared leadership, appreciative inquiry and knowledge creation theoretical frameworks provide the foundation for change toward the implementation of a collaborative EBIP workplace model. Collaborative EBIP reiterates the importance of gathering the best available evidence, but it differs by shifting decision making authority from ‘library or employer centric’ to ‘user or employee centric.’”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you think the experience and knowledge of library staff is utilised by library management to make decisions?
2. The article describes a reorganisation of library staff and workflows to flatten the hierarchical structure & better reflect library priorities. Have you ever worked somewhere with a shared leadership culture? 
How was it achieved? 
3. What obstacles prevent a shared leadership culture from thriving?
4. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a distributed leadership model? (see pros and cons on p.7)
5. Have you or your organisation ever used an appreciative inquiry model to research your workplace, and if so, what were the results?
6. Where have you found a community of practice for librarians? (Associations, organisations, committees, groups, workplaces, ex-colleagues, etc.)
7. Think of three initiatives that could help convert your workplace into a knowledge creating community
8. The article acknowledges library personnel as assets by recognising that when libraries maximise the talents & skills of a diverse staff the organisation becomes responsive & innovative. Discuss. 

Please use hashtag #EBLIPRG to join the meeting. 
Everyone is welcome to join @LAICDGroup and #EBLIPRG