Transformation for Libraries: The Futures School

We are living in increasingly volatile, uncertain, and complex times that require an updated flexible and fluid mindset. Often organizations will say that they are on the cutting edge, yet in reality, organizations need to be on the bleeding edge focused on what comes next. This is the growing realization among leaders and organizations, that success in the 21st century landscape of rapid change means we must embrace new pathways to the future. In other words, we need to foster mindsets and skills that help us to seize untapped possibilities and opportunities.

Libraries and librarians must look beyond our present-day models, assumptions, and ideas in order to recognize external disruptors on the horizon of our profession alongside broader emerging patterns in order to "create functional views of alternative futures and possibilities". The CT State Library Division of Library Development's (DLD) has identified Strategic Foresight as a critical discipline for librarians now. The COVID19 pandemic is a real-time threat, forcing adaptive change in the way libraries serve their communities; Strategic Foresight training can provide librarians with the skills to plan for future shifts. As shared by a Florida cohort participant, “It [the foresight training] brings a level of sense to uncertainty, whether globally, professionally or personally. It is a way of looking ahead without stepping back.”

This program will detail the DLD’s journey working with Kedge: The Futures School to train 450 librarians and library staff in the discipline of Strategic Foresight to build resilience, adaptability and opportunity in our profession and field of influence. We will explore Strategic Foresight as an operating system for libraries, learn how to "pull" our organizations toward disruption which help us be more transformative in our innovation efforts, learn the four facets of Strategic Foresight technical competency, and discover why foresight is considered an immune system for an organization.

Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian for the Hawaii State Public Library System, values the intentional framework and immediate applicability of the Strategic Foresight program. In her words, “The highly engaging program provided foundations for all of the participates to begin integrating future foresight into their daily professional practice.” In fact, “future foresight skills should be a standard practice for our profession, organizations and communities. The time spent understanding the trends, forces and patterns that are shaping our local, state, federal and global worlds enables our profession to work collaboratively with communities to find opportunities to build positive futures.” We all want to “ensure that our libraries are ready to adapt and serve the ever-changing needs of their communities.”

Join the CT State Library and Kedge: The Futures School in this interactive session to understand how Strategic Foresight offers an opportunity to create a community of future-focused and future-empowered librarians. Learn the key to transforming the culture of the library to ensure librarians are community champions equipped to map the future to inform decision-making in the present.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore opportunities to apply for one of 9 national Transformation for Libraries: The Futures School sessions as part of CSL's IMLS Laura Bush grant #RE-250063-OLS-21.