Dear SWAN Board:
This is just a quick note to let you know that last week that several SWAN staff and the Strategic Planning Committee of the SWAN board attended a webinar on using the Harwood Institute model for strategic planning. While the webinar itself was somewhat disappointing because it focused more on product than on process, I followed up by email and then phone with one of the presenters and learned more about how they used the Harwood process, and I found it intriguing. I've been interested in Harwood for some time and think there is potential to use it for a focus group process with SWAN directors and other key staff in SWAN libraries. Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma (the library system that delivered the webinar) used a train-the-trainer model where they sent 2 staff to Harwood Institute to be trained and then those 2 staff trained the facilitators for their internal process. I suspect there are a number of directors within SWAN membership who might appreciate becoming "trained trainers" for the SWAN process because then they could apply it to the strategic planning process at their own libraries without having to pay to go to Harwood themselves.
Obviously, we will need to discuss this both at the committee and board level before moving forward on anything like this. Nevertheless, Aaron is going to be giving a presentation on the history of the last couple of strategic planning processes at quarterly next week; he and I thought that I might just mention, as President and member of the Strategic Planning Committee, that Harwood is something we're considering using, just to get a read on how the membership feels about Harwood.
Would you be okay with my doing this?
TO AVOID OPEN MEETINGS ACT VIOLATIONS, PLEASE DO NOT "REPLY ALL" TO THIS EMAIL. Please reply to me individually if you wish to simply give a "yes" response. If you have concerns that this is not a good idea, please send a more detailed individual reply or give me a call on my direct line, (708) 470-7321. Thanks!
Jennifer Cottrill, Library Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers (What's this?)<https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/talking-about-prono…>
Midlothian Public Library
14701 S. Kenton Avenue
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 535-2027
jcottrill(a)midlothianlibrary.org
www.midlothianlibrary.org<http://www.midlothianlibrary.org>
[cid:bb0daefb-f3b1-4af0-ba36-101e929a4754]
Hi SWAN Board reps-
The Expo registration closed at the end of last week, and we have 213 attendees registered. Last year had 149 attendees, with Warrenville Public Library District having the more staff in attendance at 22, and for this year it looks like Matteson Area Public Library District will have 32 staff in attendance!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Dear SWAN Board:
As discussed at our meeting Friday, I would like to suggest that we each take on the task of reaching out to 4 or 5 of the new Directors in SWAN (prioritizing those who have never been SWAN Directors before).
Aaron, would you please create a document using something like OneDrive, SharePoint, or Google Docs, that contains the list of all the new directors? If possible, please note which ones are NOT new to being directors in SWAN.
Board Members, would you then each sign up for 4 to 5 directors you would like to reach out to in the next 4 to 6 weeks? I recommend picking folks you don't already know well. Outreach can be either a phone meeting, a videoconference, or an in-person meeting. Please work out what's most convenient and appealing for you both.
I have started a list of Basic Talking Points:
* SWAN can provide you with consultant visits to help you better make use of SWAN services.
* SWAN can provide your staff with training to help them better utilize SWAN services.
* Aaron is approachable, wants to be contacted by member directors, is not "too busy," and will respond if you call/email him.
* Your board members are here to listen to your concerns and bring them to board meetings. We're also here to point you in the right direction to get your questions answered or your issues resolved. We don't know all the answers, or even most of the answers, but we will work to find the person who does.
And some Basic Questions:
* What questions do you have about SWAN, what it does, and how it works?
* What could we do, as your board, to represent you?
If you would like to add Talking Points or Questions, to avoid possibly veering into "deliberative" comments and therefore violating OMA, please email me individually your suggested additions by Monday, July 31, and I will send out an updated list.
Thanks, everyone!
Jennifer Cottrill, Library Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers (What's this?)<https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/talking-about-prono…>
Midlothian Public Library
14701 S. Kenton Avenue
Midlothian, IL 60445
(708) 535-2027
jcottrill(a)midlothianlibrary.org
www.midlothianlibrary.org<http://www.midlothianlibrary.org>
[cid:54a234f2-e7a3-48b8-9ede-4e9c4c469067]
Hi SWAN Board reps-
The schedule for the upcoming meetings & locations were approved. I will be sending out calendar appointments for you with the locations. Samantha-since you were not there Friday, I hope this February 16th date is one you can work with to host the meeting, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
SWAN Board & Membership Meeting Schedule 2023 & 2024
Friday, July 21, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Midlothian Public Library
Friday, August 18, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Canceled
Thursday, September 7, 2023
SWAN Quarterly Meeting
Oak Brook Public Library
Friday, September 15, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Acorn Public Library District
Friday, October 20, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Acorn Public Library District
Friday, November 17, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Palos Heights Public Library
Thursday, December 7, 2023
SWAN Quarterly Meeting
Oak Brook Public Library
Friday, December 15, 2023
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Homewood Public Library
Friday, January 19, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Homewood Public Library
Friday, February 16, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Roselle Public Library District
Thursday, March 7, 2024
SWAN Quarterly Meeting
Oak Brook Public Library
Friday, March 22, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Bloomingdale Public Library
Friday, April 19, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Bloomingdale Public Library
Friday, May 17, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Blue Island Public Library
Thursday, June 6, 2024
SWAN Quarterly Meeting
Oak Brook Public Library
Friday, June 21, 2024
Regular SWAN Board Meeting
Midlothian Public Library
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hi everyone,
The meeting tomorrow will be held without Samantha Johnson and Tim Jarzemsky. Both send their regrets.
I just want to make sure we won't slip under a quorum for the board meeting, so if anyone else is unable to attend please reply to this email.
Thank you,
~A.
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board reps-
The meeting agenda and packet is now posted for you. We will meet at Midlothian Public Library at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/92355
I will be sending out an Outlook calendar invite to all of you with the meeting and location.
Tim has already let me know he will not be able to attend the meeting. I will end up sending out the calendar appointments for the other board meetings after there is a decision on which library will host meetings for the upcoming meetings. Typically, we have had 2 meetings in a row be hosted at a board member library, so if you know your availability, feel free to let us know on Friday. Tim's preference is to have his library Bloomingale host March and April 2024 meetings (or February and March).
See the rest of you on Friday!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board representatives-
I have updated the SWAN board email list to include Samantha Johnson. This list is unmoderated for SWAN Board members, so if you reply-all to the swanboard(a)list.swanlibraries.net<mailto:swanboard@list.swanlibraries.net> it will reach the 7 board members, plus Scott Brandwein, Ginny Blake, and me.
I will give Sam a board orientation next week Friday after the meeting at Midlothian Public Library.
Welcome Sam!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board reps-
The agenda and packet for Friday's meeting is now posted. You can download the packet from the meeting event from SWAN Support. We will meet at Palos Heights Public Library.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/92354
Additionally, I will be sending out my written self-evaluation document out directly to your work email account.
If you have any questions, please reach out! See you Friday!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board reps--
The election concluded yesterday at midnight, and here are the final totals.
The vote totals were the following:
Jennifer Cottrill 41
Samantha Johnson 33
Ridgeway Burns 25
Zach Musil 24
Total voters 63
I have reached out to all the candidates via email, and plan to make an announcement on Tuesday at the SWAN Fireside, and again at the Thursday Quarterly meeting.
If you have any questions, please let me know. The SWAN Board email list is unmoderated for you, so a reply to this email list will reach everyone.
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> • 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> • catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
