PULSE OF READING
What's at the heart of our community?
Why Conversation?
Very great change comes from very small conversations held among people who care" - Phyllis Wheatley
Conversations are how we connect, learn, and start to build better communities. The American Library Association Center for Civic Life is leading the way with "Libraries Transform Communities." Dialog and deliberation in a safe environment help us develop the mutual understanding and trust essential to facing divisive issues and disagreements. Using sound participatory processes — like the World Café — that give everyone a voice, reinforce “sharing the air,” and support collective meaning making, can help groups learn to bridge differences and find common ground on which to take concerted action. With an emphasis on “problem defining before problem solving,” groups become collaborators in understanding the full extent of a challenge versus adversaries around positions or particular solutions. In addition, the psychology and neurobiology of in-person conversations enable us to feel empathy for others, be curious about perspectives other than our own, communicate more effectively, and build stronger relationships.
Why Reading Public Library?
“There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.” - Andrew Carnegie
As the host, Reading Public Library commits to facilitating these conversations and providing a safe, inclusive space for what we anticipate will be an engaging community project involving not only individual residents, but also the public, for-profit, and non-profit sectors of our community.
The library is the perfect place to
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host and develop content for conversations and gatherings throughout the community.
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coordinate related logistics, facilitators, and volunteers.
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provide training for facilitators and volunteers needed to run “Pulse of Reading” conversations and gatherings.
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create and disseminate communications about both events and results for all conversations and gatherings.
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document the process for transparency and archival purposes.
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provide additional leadership, space and support as needed.
More about "World Cafe"
"People already have within them the wisdom and creativity to confront even the most difficult challenges ...
we are wiser together than we are alone." - World Cafe: A Quick Reference Guide
World Café conversations are based on the principles and format developed by the World Café, a global movement to support conversations that matter in corporate, government, and community settings around the world.
The process is based on 7 principles:
1) Set the Context
2) Create Hospitable Space
3) Explore Questions that Matter
4) Encourage Everyone’s Contribution
5) Connect Diverse Perspectives
6) Listen Together for Patterns & Insights
7) Share Collective Discoveries
For more information, visit http://www.theworldcafe.com/