>> JENNIFER: We wanted to let you know, too, before we begin, we did create a resource guide, learner guide, for this session, as we do for all of our webinars.

We create this as a way for you to extend your learning on a topic.

We actually compiled a number of resources that we referenced in this particular guide, but you can also customize the guide if you have specific questions or action steps that you'd like to take with your group.

Know that you can customize and make that guide your own.

All right.

Well, let's shift on over here.

Oops, sorry.

Give you a preview.

I'm going to introduce myself.

I'm Jennifer Peterson.

I'm the WebJunction community manager here at OCLC, and I'm joined today, I'm going to let Brooke introduce herself real quick.

>> BROOKE: Hello there.

I'm Brooke Doyle from WebJunction, one of Jennifer's colleagues, a senior project coordinator and so thrilled to be here today.

>> JENNIFER: Wonderful.

And Brooke and I did a presentation along these lines at the ARSL Conference in Wichita this fall.

So, shout-out to any of you who were there, but we were super eager to bring it to a WebJunction webinar.

It's a topic that we've explored quite a bit over the years, but certainly some very new, interesting facets to this work and how it relates to libraries is surfacing.

So, we're super excited to be able to share what we're learning.

I'd like to begin actually with a personal story about my experience with social isolation.

I'm so sorry, I have to... get rid of my frog.

My story begins in the fall of 2019 on my son Loren here, his 21st birthday.

He was diagnosed with leukemia halfway through his college career.

So, becoming part of the cancer family was super, super bizarre and a very lonely experience.

Shout-out to any of you who are part of that cancer family.

And after the initial flurry of support from the community, we found ourselves quite alone in the experience looking for support online.

We know how sometimes that connection can be, but Loren's treatment was super exhausting for all of us.

And I was his primary caregiver.

And they discovered he had pneumonia when he was first admitted, so we spent the first month gowning up and masking up every time we entered his room.

Sanitizing everything at home, including removing house plants, so he wouldn't be exposed to unwanted bacteria.

And he was admitted to the hospital to prepare for his bone marrow transplant just after COVID began.

So, that meant that we couldn't visit him.

So, we were completely isolated.

He was super isolated, and we were isolated from him, as well.

Just as the world was starting to wear masks and isolating, as well.

But, you know, we with our immunocompromised cancer patient did the same.

And, at the same time, Loren was going through all of this, my sister-in-law was being treated for pancreatic cancer and dealing with a number of mental health issues, and we were her primary caregiver, as well, until she passed away in 2021.

Then my mother here on the right passed away the next year, as well as another close friend, and throughout all of this, the stress on my 25 year old, nearly 25-year-old dysfunctional marriage was becoming unbearable.

So to top it off, I decided to become a divorcee, which is another super isolating experience.

So, throughout all of these experiences and the conversations that I would have, I realized, you know, a lot of people don't feel comfortable talking about life-changing experiences and the grief that comes with it.

So, I share this story, I call it my CCDD story, the cancer, COVID, divorce, death story, to emphasize that we really don't know everyone's story when they come to the library.

And I come from a super, super set of privileged factors.

You know, I have work, I have a home, I have insurance.

So, obviously, social isolation impacts folks in a number of different ways, especially if they have additional factors impacting them.

So, we know folks come to the library... you might be the only person that person talks to, but then they may have additional complex factors that are listed here, whether it be in their relationships, their community, society, or for them individually.

There's another quote in a resource that we reference elsewhere, the Healthy Places By Design Solutions for Social Isolation and they emphasize that social isolation is not a personal choice or individual problem, but one that is rooted in community design, social norms, and systemic injustices.

So, with this lens, why focus on social connection?

Well, in addition to understanding this prior to COVID, there's even more information that has come out after COVID related to social disconnection.

And the Surgeon General has released earlier this -- 

actually now I say last year, in May, this -- the Surgeon General's advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community of Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.

And the work that's collected in here indicates that approximately half of adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness before COVID.

So, we all know how COVID has even exasperated that.

And there's a framework that's been put forth in this strategy, and I'm going to talk a little bit more about that, but one of the important things around this work is that it fits into the level of urgency as other health issues in our communities.

And this graphic is in the report, and it was the one that kind of jumped off the page and hit me square on the forehead, that lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Or drinking six alcoholic drinks a day.

So, this really pushed it in my mind up to priority, and, certainly, looking at ways that our work can impact this.

Also, in addition to the Surgeon General's advisory, the World Health Organization has also released news of their initiative to -- it's going to be a three-year initiative to look more closely at this.

They met in early December, and I think they are talking sort of about a midway point out of three-year initiative we'll see some more information about what's coming out from WHO.

But there are other countries that have been doing this work.

In 2018, the UK launched their first Loneliness Minister position.

Japan also has a Minister for Loneliness.

Denmark and Sweden have been creating some innovative solutions in this area.

And we learned about a Dutch initiative, where supermarkets that -- for the checkout, they've created a chat checkout, where lonely shoppers can stop for a chat rather than paying for their items as quickly as possible.

So, even in the Netherlands they are doing some of this work.

Also, we were super interested to learn that specifically libraries in Australia are exploring this work.

The folks in the state of Victoria have been doing some very, very interesting work kind of covering both looking at a strategic framework, looking at the need for more research in this area specific to how libraries can address social connection, there's a staff training initiative that they are working through, and a whole community public-facing state-wide initiative.

And they actually have done some surveys, really interesting surveys, to highlight how the library impacts their quality of life.

So, sort of looking also at this advocacy piece.

But I just think it's so great that they have this separate component in this determinants of health for social connection.

And they say, you know, they see social connection as a core need to support our communities, to foster meaningful relationships with others, and develop a sense of belonging in their communities.

So, they see that as a part of the library's role.

So, all these resources are linked and available for folks to explore further, so much to explore further.

So, the Surgeon General asked, well, what's the prescription for this issue?

It's hiding in plain sight, social connection.

So, that is why we are talking about social connection.

And, you know, there's lots of sort of lingo that's coming out around this.

There's a lot of emphasis on the social determinants of health, so that's a phrase that I think we're going to hear more and more of, as well.

And this idea of collective impact, that the work we can do with libraries collectively impacts all aspects of the person's life, including their health, mental and physical health.

So, what are the results of more social connection?

There is actually plenty of research out there that tells us, you know, strong social connections lower our anxiety and depression.

It strengthens our immune system.

There's even research out there that shows genes impacted by loneliness also code for immune function and inflammation.

So, there you go.

Helps you recover from disease faster, apparently, leading to a 50% increase in chance of longevity.

Can increase your life by 50%.

So, you know, the higher self-esteem, greater empathy.

The other... yes, all of these things, obviously, are impacted by more social connection.

So, since Brooke and I have presented on this last time, we've learned about another great book that was presented by Jeremy Nobel at the Urban Library's Council annual forum, so we've heard a bit about it and heard about his book, as well.

And he defines social -- or kinds of loneliness, as psychological, existential, or societal.

And I thought it was super interesting to dive into his five territories of loneliness, kind of aligning with some of those factors that impact social connection that we saw in that initial slide.

Trauma.

We certainly are hearing way more talk about trauma in our work, trauma-informed care in our libraries.

We know people's illnesses create, like I said, for our own family's experience, loneliness.

Aging, obviously, lots and lots of our work in libraries intersects with folks in the older community.

This idea of difference, being different, being a cause of loneliness.

So, who is seen as different in our community?

So, looking at those.

And then this issue of modernity, which we know we've heard folks talk about isolation that, happens with our online social media connection.

So, those five territories, I thought, were super helpful, as well as this three-fold goal.

So, what is our goal?

I see us aligning with these goals in libraries.

Promote awareness about loneliness, reduce the stigma, and activate programming.

The other thing that Jeremy Nobel's work really focused on is creativity.

He's done a lot of work around creative art, artistic work, in creating connection.

And uses this colors and connection approach to have folks talk about how they are feeling in relation to colors.

So, a lot of interesting work there, as well, to explore.

So, back to the national strategy.

I just want to give you one more glimpse of information that was shared actually in the press release.

So, this is also kind of at this high level, where I see libraries intersecting with all of these foundational pillars.

So, we have a place we can come to the conversation, to our community-wide conversations, and talk about how libraries can be a part of each of these foundational pillars.

Obviously, within the social infrastructure, this was actually the place where libraries were specifically called out in the resource.

Enacting pro-connection public policies.

We talk a lot about policies in libraries.

So, looking at our policies for pro-connection.

Mobilize the health sector.

Again, this is the place I think maybe is most obvious when we think about, well, our patrons' whole health is important to us, and, obviously, it's impacting those -- that chart with the impacts of 15 cigarettes a day.

Reforming digital environments, which I think is so interesting, because we are stewards of our digital environment, so we really are committed to that work, as well.

Obviously, deepening our knowledge, we're researchers, we need to continue to research this.

And then also the cultivate a culture of connection through our norms and how our communities are structured.

So, lots of overlap there for us to explore more deeply in conversations.

This, obviously, would be a great resource to bring to your city officials or your county officials to talk about how libraries intersect with this national strategy.

So, how do we talk about libraries being such a natural relationship for social connectors?

We know many of the folks that already come to the library are bridging gaps due to technology.

So, obviously, there's connections that are being made there, as well.

We know, too, that the studies find that the highest prevalence of loneliness and isolation is among people with poor physical or mental health.

Folks with disabilities, financial insecurities, those who live alone, single parents, as well as we know from a lot of research, the younger population, the 18 to 25 year olds, and the older population, as well.

So, those are all folks we see many, many times at our library.

We know you all are connecting with folks in your communities, but if you take anything away from today, it's around this idea of being intentional.

Obviously, the more we build an understanding of what's happening, the more we can be intentional in how we create our services and programs to create those opportunities for deeper social connections.

And because we do these things, these are all the things that make total sense for why libraries make sense to foster social connection.

We already are a trusted and healthy infrastructure in our communities.

We're open and inclusive, safe and welcoming.

We create compassionate -- or try to create compassionate policies.

This idea of nurturing civility, creating more opportunities for our communities to connect at a civil level.

And then, of course, our commitment to being cultures of learning for both improving ourselves and our society.

Eric Klinenburg, shout-out to Eric who in 2018 wrote "Palaces For the People," and, really, he goes through all of these to really drive home the critical role that libraries can play in creating that and sustaining that social infrastructure.

So, now we have a question for you.

We want to hear from you, and like I said, we encourage you to post as many ideas as come to mind in chat.

But what are you already doing to foster social connection at your library?

What are some of the programs where you see that connection happening?

Perhaps in the way you provide your services.

So, let's get a little flush of ideas through here.

And I'm just going to post to chat, as well.

When we were at ARSL at the conference, we asked this question and we've posted the collection of the gems that came through that conversation, as well.

Art club, oh, I love to see the art, mention of art.

And I know this is going to go super fast, so reminder those will be available as a resource after the webinar, as well, but we definitely want to see what you folks are doing.

D&D events for adults.

Passive programs like a community puzzle or coloring pages.

I love it.

The Friends of the Library group are the way that connection is made.

They are the heart of our branch.

Brooke, I'll let you jump in, too.

The book mobile librarian.

Yes, what a great job for social connection.

Going to them where they are, and the seniors, especially, absolutely.

Yoga.

Any of the physical programs that you do.

Puzzle swaps.

I saw puzzle competitions.

Gaming.

Board gaming.

We all try very hard to never cut off someone who wants a conversation short.

If they talk for a half an hour, we let them.

Excellent, teens, partnering with the community center.

>> BROOKE: So great to see these flying by here.

A lot related to art, which the Project UnLonely really, one of their big focuses, is arts, being able to use arts.

And we're not talking about, you know, great highly skilled artwork making.

Just expressing ourselves through the arts.

I see some support group type for different caregivers.

Silent book group meetups.

I've always wanted to go to one of those.

>> JENNIFER: Roaming service model.

Like to see service ideas, as well as programming.

>> BROOKE: Oral history.

Very interesting.

That storytelling is so important.

Giggles and grins.

I'd love to -- is that someone doing the -- is it just let's get together and tell stories?

I'm curious what the programming of that looks like.

>> JENNIFER: Maybe paired with the speed friending.

Excellent.

Well, keep your ideas coming for sure.

And like I said, this will be available for you to review, as well.

Mocktails.

I just saw something about that.

>> BROOKE: We do have that great list that Jennifer posted from the conference, so you'll have a really good list, hopefully, of ideas.

Different things you may not have thought of.

Community college here.

Great.

Again, art making themes.

Lot of comfy -- sort of comfy environment.

I love it.

>> JENNIFER: Death cafe, I saw someone is thinking of a death cafe.

We'll talk about that in a moment.

>> BROOKE: We'll talk a little bit about stay and play after story times.

That's great.

>> JENNIFER: And I like this, intentional offering of seating that is flexible, so that it allows for gathering around tables in the library, in addition to working solo.

Thinking about your spaces for being social connector encouraging.

>> BROOKE: I see a passive programming, which JP will talk about a little bit later, but those of all the different ways you can incorporate little things to help.

That might be the thing that is the entry point for someone who's feeling really isolated.

And I know that someone talked about not having a time limit for interaction with a patron is all the different ways your staff can -- in all their different roles can be part of creating a welcoming space.

We saw one of the ideas from the conference was a question of the day, or I don't know, question of the week it might have been.

It's something near the entrance, it can be like stickies, or dots, where you're voting on something.

It could be -- just immediately a point of interaction, maybe if you're feeling isolated and going to go in and take your seat that you always take, maybe it's that one thing that stops you and helps you engage and allows the staff person to maybe begin that conversation, too.

>> JENNIFER: And somebody mentioned, please, don't use "passive," use "self-directed," and I did see that and mentioned that, as well, calling it self-directed.

>> BROOKE: These are great, fantastic.

Wow, I have a lot to scroll through to catch up.

Bad art night.

I love it.

Story times in different languages.

Wow.

>> JENNIFER: Just this morning I came across it's actually a church that's hosting a museum of loneliness.

So, they are asking for art submissions on the topic of loneliness, and then they'll have a gallery here.

I think I found it.

>> BROOKE: Someone asked, would any program foster social connection, and it could for sure.

And we're going to talk about ways to deepen that and do that more intentionally.

And also I think sometimes things that we might think are fostering social connection or maybe not doing as good a job as we think.

So, I hope I'm going to help plant a few seeds to think about are we doing this in ways that are really inclusive of everyone and not leaving people out.

>> JENNIFER: And just a quick note, somebody did mention, on the flip side, it is important that staff have boundary guidelines to protect their mental health and well-being.

And, absolutely, this is -- 

social connection that is healthy for all.

>> BROOKE: Jennifer, do you want to pass over to me?

>> JENNIFER: Yeah, you've already got it.

>> BROOKE: Okay.

I might ask you for -- okay, there we go.

Okay, I'm going to take us just to this list, because it was fantastic, and there was no way I could keep up with all your ideas, but I will go back and read them.

It was wonderful to hear all the things you're already doing and the different audiences your libraries are connecting with, and it was a huge range.

Jennifer and I brainstormed this list of different people in a community that would benefit for social connection.

Of course, we all would, but we were trying to group people.

And I want to call out a few that I've seen less about in the list in the ones I could read, which are staff and trustees and boards.

And, you know, if we think about the statistics from the Surgeon General, we know that loneliness is going to be existing in our staff.

So, how can we remember them, as well, and to -- sorry, I need to do one thing to my -- there we go, so I'm not having so many pop-ups.

Think about not just our patrons, but our staff, our trustees, and our boards.

Think through the range of the people in your community who could benefit from social connection, and are there groups maybe not even coming to the library because they are feeling so isolated or maybe not welcome yet in the library?

How could you do outreach to welcome those folks?

How do you know which populations are really severely experiencing loneliness in your community, and how could you find out?

If they are not showing up at the library where you might be able to see signs of loneliness, how could you find out?

Perhaps it's by connecting with a public health partner or some of the other partners that you work with to just begin to normalize this conversation and talk about, you know, where are you seeing loneliness?

I hear about this epidemic of loneliness, where do you see it live showing up in the work that you do?

So, I want to encourage you to prioritize a group that you haven't thought of yet and keep them in mind as we're moving through the session.

Who is an audience that you might be able to prioritize for deeper social connection as you move forward?

So, this is a list from the CDC of approaches that individuals and organizations can use to reduce loneliness and promote more frequent, high-quality relationships among the individuals they serve.

I think this list is really affirming that libraries are on the right track.

If you look at the huge scope of activities and how much they intersect with library activities, we're already doing this work.

Jennifer and I put in the text in blue as just examples that we know of library programming that fits into all these categories.

We've heard probably -- I don't know if I heard anything about animal based, maybe I did and didn't get through it yet, but we pretty much heard examples from all of these different facets.

So, really affirming that libraries are doing this work, and they have a role to play in this space.

The thing that we want to really be talking about today is adding intentionality.

How can we build intentionality into our efforts to more consciously combat social isolation?

I'm guessing that some of you have heard of Priya Parker.

She is a real hero of mine.

She wrote this book, "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters," and she is an absolutely masterful facilitator, who is all about building connection.

And one of her main takeaways is adding intentionality to how we gather to deepen the social connections, and that's what we're going to try to talk about for the rest of our time together.

She really encouraging us to think about with any gathering, start with your why.

What is the purpose of the gathering.

And let that guide all of your planning.

Who should be there, for what purpose, and what do we hope to accomplish.

And, of course, how we know we have accomplished it.

So, question the way that your library has been gathering in your community.

What is the why?

Is the right gathering -- is it the right gathering to achieve the outcome desired?

So, is it the right time, is it the right place, is it the right people?

Should it be maybe happening outside of the library, in the community?

So, focus on the why, not the activity.

Like we're doing a book club, we're doing a teen game night, but what is the why of what you're doing.

And that purpose should be specific, unique, and disputable.

So, the purpose again isn't the activity, it's the desired outcome.

And I think of library story times as a great example, and a few people have alluded to this.

Children are building early literacy skills through story times, but an equally important part is allowing the caregivers a chance to connect and to combat the isolation of caring for young children.

Children may lose attention towards the end of story time, and that's totally fine and normal, but many libraries put out toys to allow children to continue to play after that formal story time ends.

The adults can connect with each other, the librarian can circulate among the adults and the kids and build rapport, even demonstrate early library practices, hear what's going on, hear what they maybe need more of.

That time for adults to connect is incredibly valuable.

And I would argue an equally important part of the story time.

If part of your desired outcome is reduced isolation for adults, then you need to add that time for adults to connect.

Not just a time and space for kids to have story time.

Adding intention to the inviting, as well.

So, how are you telling people about the event?

Who should extend that invitation?

Will people feel comfortable and included based on that invitation?

Jennifer is going to describe a Coffee and Conversation gathering for people experiencing homelessness later and how should that be advertised.

Will people feel comfortable, will the intended audience feel comfortable?

Who is the right person to extend that invitation?

You want to give your event a name.

People can really begin to visualize your event when they hear a name.

And let the name do the work for you.

Are you really trying to have a really low-key vibe?

Maybe the Coffee and Conversation to me sounds really low key.

Sounds like a time to just show up, talk, there's not really an agenda.

Maybe that's exactly what you're going for.

Or maybe you want something that has a lot of anticipation building and really high energy and really kind of involved and thoughtful.

Does the invitation match your event?

Does it invite people in to show up and to be present and begin to connect?

You want to communicate those expectations.

So, Jennifer is going to describe an adult coloring event later on, and I would immediately want to know if I have to draw, have to know how to draw, and if I'm going to be sharing my work.

I would need those expectations set, and then I would decide if I felt comfortable in joining.

It would help me arrive comfortable and ready to connect.

How can you prepare your events?

Sorry, how can you prepare your guests ahead of time?

I love this idea of setting up a little mini competition, like, for example, if you're having a movie night, maybe it's a costume contest.

So, you can imagine people, and, of course, you would want to say something like costumes not required, so people felt more welcome to show up if they weren't going to do that.

But immediately when people show up and they are in their costume, it's immediately a conversation starter.

That's my favorite character, where did you get the cape, I love it, maybe two people dressed up as the same character, and they can discuss how they interpreted it.

Immediate connection.

Maybe you're having a knitting night, who has the smallest and biggest needles.

Again, immediate way to start the conversation.

You obviously have some kind of commonality if you showed up at the knitting night, but you immediately have something to talk about.

For a virtual event, like maybe your board is having a virtual meeting, you could have people -- maybe you have some new board members you're trying to incorporate and get to know.

You could have people RSVP on the invitation with an avatar or a special identity, so there's immediately something to talk about when you gather.

Just a few ideas to help make that invitation work for you and add that layer of intention to the gathering.

Excuse me.

What might you do to make people feel comfortable when they arrive and safe enough to participate?

So, I love this checklist.

Have you designed for connection?

Here's some things to think about, many of which you probably have already thought of, but maybe a few reminders of putting them all in one place.

So, have a welcome person at the door if you can, immediately invites people in, make sure they know they are in the right place, think about the lighting and the look and feel of the room, maybe play some music if that's the vibe you're going for.

Provide name tags.

And maybe a little something where you're going to write your favorite whatever, so that you could, again, it's an immediate -- just because I know your name, I still might not feel like I have anything to say to you, but if I knew that your favorite book by this author was that, you can immediately say, oh, I like that one, too, or tell me about that book, I don't know that book.

Have an icebreaker activity that gets people mingling.

Jennifer is going to put a link in the chat where we gathered icebreakers, a whole bunch, and I'll talk how we do that in a minute, but great list in your back pocket so you are remembering taking the time to do something like an icebreaker can be really helpful.

Sorry, I have lost my place here.

So you want to, at that opening, you don't want people to squander the opening, the moment of the highest attention with things like this is where the bathrooms are, we're going to take a break in 30 minutes, we're going to have snacks.

Start with a story, something to connect to the purpose, something to explain people's role, why they are here, so they immediately are engaged with your event and are ready to participate.

You want to think about the power dynamics in the room.

And I think a staff meeting is a great way in particular, a great example of this.

What can you do to help people feel safe enough to participate and connect.

And if it's a staff meeting, what are the levels of power in the room?

What are you asking yourself.

What are you asking people to reveal, and is that going to be safe?

Similar to the opening, the closing should also involve some turning in and some turning out.

So, some reflection.

And it doesn't have to be, you know, if this was a really low-key Coffee and Conversation, it might be something more like, gosh, it was great to hear some stories, I'm going to remember that so and so is going through this, this week, and I'm going to keep them in mind.

Hope you show up next week so we can talk.

Or it can be something much more significant.

If this is a group that has made a big decision, let's talk about how we're going to reflect on what just happened and how we're going to talk about it.

You're beginning to shape that narrative as you leave.

Again, don't end with logistics, save that stuff maybe second to last.

And you don't want to end abruptly.

So, take time to really close the meeting and elevate what you want people to remember.

Sorry, I'm trying... there we go.

Couple of ideas of ways to do that closing is you might have a talk-back board as people record their experiences as they leave or some kind of walk around the room and do sticky notes on flip chart paper.

It can be an easy checkout activity, tell me one word about how you're feeling right now.

If it's a new event you tried and wondering how did it go, how do people like it, asked what worked for you, what do you want more of, what do you want less of.

If it's something where people were making a tangible product, you might want to arrange those around the room and have a little bit of a gallery walk, so people can browse again.

Movement is always a great thing to keep people engaged.

So, I hope that gives you a few ideas to play with.

I want to talk a bit about lessons that Jennifer and I took from planning for today's session.

So, we mentioned that we did this in person at the ARSL conference.

So, when we proposed the session for the conference, we asked for two hours and they gave us one.

So, we had to immediately adjust.

We're committed to having engagement, so how do we reduce the content and still have our engagement in one hour.

We asked for round tables, because we think that facilitates conversation.

And they were like, well, we can't guarantee round tables, so we had to design it in case we didn't have round tables, what would still feel like interaction, so we did some sort of turn to your neighbor type activities and some popcorn activities.

Many of you are probably familiar with something called Hoova, and it was particularly active at this conference.

So, we built some anticipation and excitement for our session by asking people to share their favorite icebreakers, so there was lots of good engagement there, we were gathering ideas.

We also had a table at the conference with flip chart paper and it was a great way to talk to people as they walked by.

Hey, what are some icebreakers that you've used that worked well, and people would put their sticky notes up.

Usually ended up being a conversation with tell me what group you used that with, we were able to talk more with them.

It opened that door.

We also -- people would come back by and say, oh, I want to see what else has been added, so we were building a lot of excitement for the group.

And interest in our session.

Our icebreakers, we also had a list going at work of favorite icebreakers and used them in some of our meetings and we had some good learnings from that.

Someone pointed out not all icebreakers are created equal, and some of these are maybe not as inclusive as we were thinking they were.

For example, what was your first car, which sounds fairly innocuous, but it is asking people to reveal some things that they may not want to reveal.

Actually, I don't drive, or I had a really junkie car, and I am kind of embarrassed.

So, that was good learnings for us.

I -- and JP has put the link in the chat of some of those icebreakers, so they are fun to have in your back pocket.

I also know Jennifer really well, and we were thinking about how we were going to open the session, and I said, you know, you have a really -- we talked a lot about how social isolation shows up in our lives.

I said, you know, you have a really great story, would you be comfortable sharing it, and she said she would.

So, that's kind of how that opening came to be.

And I think it did a great job of really setting the stage and showing you a really great example of a sorry and an emotional and how there is a moment of heightened emotional resonance at the beginning of a gathering that you lose as the time goes on.

We were also really committed to making the session be one really actionable, so you would have something to take home, and that's something we had said in our blurb in the conference program, so we were back to that purpose of we want libraries to play a role in combatting social isolation and we want people to leave with something actionable and they are ready to go with.

So we have that resource and action guide.

You have a similar thing here.

So, that was a good reminder of we need to keep going back to that purpose and making sure that we are meeting that purpose.

So, I hope I gave you some ideas to play with.

Jennifer is going to take us through the next and share lots of great examples.

>> JENNIFER: Excellent, yes, thank you so much.

The intentionality piece is huge, and think about that as we lay that over some of these examples that I'm sure many of them are going to be familiar to you, but, hopefully, with that layover of the intentionality, it will be helpful.

So, as Brooke said, you know, sometimes we forget about our own internal meetings and connection, opportunities.

So, staff meetings, board and trustee meetings, partner meetings with others in your community.

And, definitely, any of the other groups that you're working with within your library.

And all of Priya Parker's checklist for gathering really work well for these meetings.

Certainly, thinking about are you gathering with good intention, what's the intended outcome, does this need to be a meeting.

So, you know, some of those questions that folks are asking.

Certainly, those icebreaker questions.

One prompt that I saw contributed that would be an excellent way to have trustees sort of role-play meeting even, somebody said imagine you're at the store and you hear someone in the next aisle talking about the library, complaining about a recent change to library hours, what would you do?

What a great conversation piece for trustees and board folks to talk about how they might advocate for the library in a split second.

Definitely, putting intention into those for more connection is a great way.

Somebody mentioned neurodiverse folks in the chat I saw.

This is a topic that we've seen examples of folks hosting -- 

here's an example of a Autism Family Cares Family Support Group, new and expectant parent support group.

As Brooke mentioned, how important the families and parents can be in creating opportunities for social connection.

So, people asked about the death cafe.

We have some links... I think those might be on the event page.

If they are not, Brooke, you can find them.

But this idea of talking about grief every day to address the stigmas we have around it is a great way to invite folks in who maybe are experiencing grief or another approach -- the death cafe is something that's been happening outside of libraries, as well, so there's a little bit more clarity around that process.

But many, many libraries are hosting their own.

And here's a perfect example of the opportunities for programs where it's a good idea to partner with somebody in the community.

So, it could be someone from a faith-based organization, or a social worker, to maybe have as a part of that gathering.

So, thinking about the other folks you can bring into your opportunities from the community that help create those spaces for safe conversation.

I worked with our team to host a World Cafe event many years ago.

I would love to hear if anybody remembers this in chat.

It was a pre-conference at one of the annual conferences.

And the World Cafe model is really based on this idea of having the right question.

So, similar to some of the questions that Brooke raised about is this a good icebreaker question, really looking at the question and making sure that it's the rich question that it needs to be with maybe some guidelines.

We actually created a whole menu for this, so that the instructions for the table host would be included in the menu.

But the way that this model works is we had the tables covered with this paper for people to take notes and draw and be inspired, draw pictures.

Whatever inspired them.

And we moved through three different sets of groups.

So, everyone sat down at a table, had the conversation, and there was a table host that then stayed at that table.

Everyone else moved.

The table host provides a bit of a summary of what was shared in the previous round, and then the next group builds on some of those pieces.

This can be used in so many different ways.

I really encourage you to look at this more closely for broader community engagement, as well.

We've mentioned the Coffee and Conversations model.

This is a program model that was shared by the Dallas Public Library on the Programming Librarian website, and we also hosted a webinar where the folks talked a little bit about it.

But as Brooke said, it's a super informal event.

There's lots of intentionality placed by the group in terms of, you know, greeting your customers, finding those influencers in the group that maybe serve as gatekeepers or trusted folks within the group, find the people-people that are good at interacting with folks to join those.

Personalize your promotion, as Brooke mentioned, in terms of the invitation.

Are there ways that you can really make that invitation speak to those folks that you are trying to invite.

And then I think we've all touched on the space, finding the right space, you know, whether it's not having a meeting room, or noise, or whatever.

Really think about being creative with the spaces you can use, if it's climate friendly for outside seasons, remember that you can gather outside, as well.

So, really interesting model, and I've seen it replicated many places, as well.

So, definitely check that out.

And then this is another very different kind of example that I wanted to be sure and share.

You know, really, this engagement can cover everything from how we greet people at the library, to how we plan our strategies for long-term planning.

In the Madison Public Library, they did a fantastic and truly inspirational process, initiative, around getting community engagement to plan their Imagination Center, which was a six-year process.

And they created a set of questions for the community to work through themselves, even encouraging folks to gather outside the library, people gathered in each other's homes, and worked through this "tell us" process.

And you can see the questions themselves are super, super intentional.

And none of them mention the library.

So, this isn't about the library can do this, we want to tell you about the library.

This is all about going and finding out from the community what their lives are like, what's important to me, and then it's our job to think about how we might be able to help.

So, definitely check that out, as well.

We mentioned the passive or self-directed engagement.

This is actually sort of a combination of things.

One is to think about the ways -- Brooke mentioned the whiteboard with the question of the day.

Obviously, that's a self-directed piece.

These are examples that actually arose out of our Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces project.

Did a great job of collecting a set of resources that are discovery tools to understand more about your community in these sort of passive or, you know, asking people to put something on a post-it note or submit something.

So, think about those as also, you know, those have sort of -- 

these were all intended to get input from the community for library decisions, but they created engagement and connection, as well.

And then coloring.

I know we mentioned the coloring.

A number of years ago we did this adult coloring explosion article to collect some of what we've been seeing.

I attended one of the Shelton Timberland Library Colorful Conversations a number of years ago.

And I can't tell you how empowering just being with other people doing something can be.

Just that collection of doing something together.

Yes, there's the whole continuum of folks that maybe are more competitive, maybe there is a coloring competition in there.

But also just the folks that are invited.

And, certainly, an opportunity for intergenerational programming, too, I certainly encourage folks to think about that.

And then there's another set of resources on WebJunction that we host with the IREX folks, which I can't remember what IREX stands for right now.

I'm so sorry.

But an international group that works with libraries.

And bridge building is sort of a little bit of a deeper engagement around creating conversation, deeper conversation, in communities.

So, if you're ready to step up to even sort of deeper engagement, one of the case studies that is highlighted in this bridge building resource hub is from the North Liberty library in Iowa, who hosted the Lighthouse in the Library Program, and it's a super interesting program that creates that structure around hosted and facilitated conversations.

So, if you're ready to dive a little bit deeper into that kind of engagement, definitely check out those resources.

So, we encourage you to take that action planning resource, to pick a partner at your library.

Like we said, it could be even somebody outside your library, if there's a community partner who's looking at loneliness and isolation, they may want to talk through this.

But think about, like Brooke suggested, think about your target audience to begin with.

Work through that process of being intentional around that gathering the invite, the gathering afterwards, including perhaps that prompts for good icebreaker question.

And then, you know, think through those concerns and opportunities.

And like we said, that guide kind of walks you through this process, as well.

And this is Brooke.

I'm going to pass it back on over to Brooke.

>> BROOKE: Terrific.

I do want to encourage you to try.

This is going to -- social connection is going to look different with different groups, of course, at different libraries, with you as an individual, one size does not fit all.

So, figure out what's going to work for you and try a few.

I will say I've had the privilege of taking Priya Parker's online class and I get invited to go to your virtual office hours.

Hundred people show up who have taken the class, and it's really fun to watch her on the fly field these questions and we tried an activity the other day, and she's like, okay, this is a little weird, but we're going to try it.

And watching her do it.

And she, who is a masterful facilitator at social connection, is still, you know, it was a little rocky.

Wonderful to be reminded your skills will grow over time, and we're all learning at this, and you'll gain confidence for sure as you go.

So, I hope we've encouraged you to try.

I want to take a minute to have you tell us one word that describes how you're feeling about adding intention to deepen social connection in your library's work.

Inspired, amped, motivated.

We were really feeling like this was a really good topic for first of the year.

It feels like a good way to set intention and fantastic... 

cautiously optimistic, passionate.

Great.

I feel that way, having watched the chat.

It's been really motivating for me to see.

>> JENNIFER: I saw that, unpaid, I saw that, I hear you.

I'm sorry.

And overworked.

>> BROOKE: Wish it wasn't rushed.

I will say I hope you take some time to dive into the guide.

The slides will be on the page, the recording will be on the page, and the chat, and there's a lot of stuff in the guide on the page that I hope you'll take a look at to dive in.

Sure, absolutely, valid.

I want to close with this quote from Priya Parker, we hope we have inspired you to bring your curiosity, your willingness, and your generosity of spirit to use the power of libraries to deepen social connection in our communities.

I love to imagine the gatherings that you will convene that will crackle and flourish as you go forth and deepen social connection.

I love the ideas that have been put out here and just imagining what those might look like in reality.

So, I hope you can take away intentionality as the secret sauce.

We want to thank you so much for being here.

And if we would love to hear questions -- there's our email.

We'd love to hear from you.

And we'd love to hear follow-up, you know, email us in a month and say I tried something and it was a flop.

Or whatever.

We really want to hear.

This is an area that WebJunction may be engaging in and digging into more, so we really want to hear kind of is this something that you've been talking about, is this something that your library has been grappling with.

And if so, what would be helpful from WebJunction to help you think about this topic.

I'll just open it up.

It can be a question.

You don't have to answer my question, but if you want to chime in on that, it would be great.

Social connection conference soon, I love it.

>> JENNIFER: I did grab a few questions earlier, too.

So, keep posting them.

Brooke, somebody did, when you were explaining the introducing and sharing logistics, somebody mentioned sometimes participants need to know logistics to feel safe and relax into the space.

Is it good in that case to maybe have them printed and posted somewhere?

>> BROOKE: Sure, that would be a great way to do it.

Printed and posted so maybe while they are, you know, sitting if it's -- if they are sitting as it's about to start, they can see that and feel safe.

Then you would still want to probably verbally do it, you know, after you do your opening, but I think that's a great solution.

>> JENNIFER: Sometimes that can be addressed if after you do your intro to kind of do a quick check-in and ask if there are questions, because then if they know that you're interested in any updates from them, that can create that safety and welcoming environment.

>> BROOKE: Great idea.

>> JENNIFER: There was another question about -- I'm so sorry, somebody asked if your son is doing well.

I meant -- because somebody came after the conference presentation and asked the same question.

Yes, my son is cancer-free, so, thank you for asking.

That's awesome.

>> BROOKE: And enrolled in college.

>> JENNIFER: Today he's back in classes again today.

>> BROOKE: Re-enrolled.

>> JENNIFER: Yeah.

Somebody also asked, we have a lot of older people that move away from their families.

It's really hard to reach folks at that age.

Do we have suggestions?

I know sometimes the partnering, making sure you're partnering, you know, if they live in an intentional living space, are you partnering or checking in with the programming folks there.

Brooke, you should talk about your own experience in trying to connect elderly folks in their community.

>> BROOKE: I think that digital navigator is huge for older folks.

You know, technology is just so much a part of modern life, and it is so overwhelming for so many people.

And having a -- having digital navigators that can help and sit down, and often a digital navigator can figure out how the technology can connect.

Setting up for telehealth, how to communicate, talking about people moving away from their families, communicating, you know, doing Zoom calls or FaceTime with their family members and figuring out how to do that.

So, getting over some of those hurdles is huge.

And a lot of faith-based organizations are doing -- are often connected to seniors, so that is an interesting perhaps partnership, as well.

>> JENNIFER: Well, we are just about at the top of the hour.

I see a few more interesting questions.

Somebody asked can you give an example of a pro-connection policy.

I actually don't have one right handy here, but the idea of -- I mean, we've been seeing folks, especially folks that have been working with social workers, think about ways to make their policies more compassionate.

Trauma informed, even in how the language, literally, the language you choose to describe your policies can be more welcoming.

So, that's a good future webinar topic for sure.

So, yes, you can see there's lots here.

I just loved somebody said it's nice to just have permission to talk about this.

And I really appreciate you saying that, because like I said, it's us talking about it, it's, you know, addressing the stigma around it, and creating opportunities to connect.

So, I appreciate that.

Well, we're going to send you back off to the rest of your day.

Reminder that I'll send you an email later today once the recording is posted, and we'll add any of those great links that you brought to the conversation to that event page.

And I'll also automatically send you a certificate for attending.

And like I said, we're going to send you right now, as we leave, to a short survey, but if you don't have time to take it, the link will be in the email.

And Brooke and I and all of WebJunction are super interested in this topic and want to hear more from you.

So, if you haven't responded to a webinar survey in a while, this is the one to respond to, and we really appreciate your feedback.

So, thank you so much.

Thank you so much, Brooke, it's been so great working with you on this.

>> BROOKE: It's been fantastic.

Thanks, everyone.

Great to be with you.

>> JENNIFER: All right.

Everyone have a great rest of your week.

Bye-bye.