Part 2 -- Forming a Plan -- Small Group Discussion

Facilitators guided discussions at tables based on a number of questions.

1. What information literacy partnerships exist among the representatives at your table?

Each person shared what they do/knew about in their area.

2. Based on the presentations and the experience at the table, what strategies are the best for building new partnerships?

 Involve everyone! There is not enough involvement from public libraries.
 Beware of seeming to be under-funded partners looking for "sugar daddy."
 Don’t carry forward just “one person's” vision. Has to be wanted by all.
 Address staff resistance immediately through action and education.
 Don’t deny that problems may have existed in the past or in the process.
 Avoid the wrong organizational climate.
 There is often a misunderstanding of roles. Avoid! Make roles clear!
 Insure there isn’t a lack of focus.
 Don’t be insular.
Avoid term "information literacy" if necessary. Define what is needed for your groups.

3. What motivates potential partners to participate in information literacy initiatives?

 A connection between need + organizational goals
 Organization needs to understand benefits of partnership + info lit partnership
 Involvement at every level: admin ® practioners
 Benefits that are concrete and measurable
 Educating about the need
 Linking to common outcomes assessments

4. What are the best strategies for sustaining existing partnerships?
 Dedicated staff member (a point person to speak for the partnership) ID one person from each organization
 Need a strategy to integrate info lit program across organizations
Everyone needs to have voice in partnership
Customize to local community
Clearly define responsibilities tied to goals
Leave enough time/commit to long term

5. Several presenters cautioned the audience about potential problems.  What should be avoided when establishing partnerships?
 Not understanding other cultures and organizational structures
 No clear liaison or spokesperson
 Competing partners/late comers
 Failure to identify/target audience
 Uneven distribution of resources
 Partners who feel they are not being where the action is
 Avoiding/not addressing potential for cost growth over time
 Staff resistance
 Other constituencies (not in this partnership) could demand equal treatment
 Underestimating amount of staff time required
 Viewing as a project rather than ongoing
 Choosing the wrong partners
 Competing partners ((anticipate and work out protocols)
 Lack of anticipation of the administrative and facilitative time needed
 Not defining who is responsible for what roles
 Be sure to avoid conflict of interest
 Avoid/must address partners with inadequate funding
 Recognize difference in cultures
 Strive to avoid duplication of effort
 Recognize poor evaluation
 Don’t fail to be flexible
 Prepare for extra, unanticipated work
 Recognize/look for lack of buy-in enthusiasm, commitment
 Avoid misunderstanding of the purpose
 Lack of common understanding of information literacy
 Don’t avoid/staff fears
 Recognize/try to deal with organizational bureaucracy
 Recognize different value systems
 Be sure to target audience/s
 Potential alienation funding/problems

is funding logical

guarantee that funding targets audiences needs

establish a contract for dollars involved

be sure that funding keeps to the service/partnership itself

6. What are your best ideas about building and sustaining partnerships focused on information literacy?

 Continuous evaluation and adjustment
 Tradition of networking and participation in community activities
 Not giving in to turf wars -- being generous
 Shared vision and goals
 Realistic about when need has been met and partnership should be dissolved
 Common definition and understanding of information literacy
 Every partner has a voice
 Institutional leadership support
 Getting libraries written in to public policy
 Benefit to customers -- meet basic needs
 Concrete goals
 Find out key motivators
 Focus on content
 Need one person (or group) willing to lead and others who will participate
 Each partner must be stakeholder in project
 Library needs to be clear in roles
Develop a common base of knowledge
 Planned involvement of participants (addressing particular needs)
 Constant communication
 Cross-fertilization between organizations
 Must be based on real need