Special Interest Group Archive: Academic Directors 1/11/2019

The topic of discussion at the meeting was staff retreats. The discussion was organized around the 7Ps Framework.

The 7Ps Framework outlines the fundamental considerations when planning any meeting:

• Purpose
• Product
• Process
• People
• Pitfalls
• Preparation
• Practical

We started the discussion by listing questions about staff retreats:

• Why a retreat
• Level of need at your library
• How to assess a retreat and get feedback
• How to set an agenda
• How to ensure participation
• How to get the right people involved
• Lines of communication
• Are people comfortable speaking at a retreat

What is the purpose of the retreat (WHY are we having it?)

• Focus efforts of staff
• Changes
• Buy-in from staff
• Get people to talk together face to face
• Shared experience
• Staff communication
• Community experiences
• Social events are also important for staff and staff interactions

Process: Setting the agenda

• Planning is essential
• Who trust among the group
• How to have a group process to set the agenda that 's positive
• Look back a previously discussed areas to determine what is important
• Activities
  • small group brainstorming
  • Dot exercise
  • idea board with post-it notes
  • SWOT 
  • Digital SWOT using tools like Poll Everywhere can be used to quickly gather data that people can use to respond to immediately
  • All voices are heard

Topics for discussion at a retreat:

• Webpages
• Reserves
• Reference collections
• Cataloging
• Strangest planning
• Library self-study

Possible topics for future SIG meetings:

• HR library relationships
• Professional development for staff