Library Service Meets Brain Research! OLA Super Conference 2010

Introduction 1: Library Philosophy Strong Libraries For a Better World! user-centric approach; safe space; meet them where theyre at; all interaction is human-to-human interaction 2copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Introduction 2: Todays topic Library Services Meet Brain Research! Why is brain research interesting for librarians? Format of session Subtopics of session: a. S.C.A.R.F. (Who are we being?) b. Mirror Neurons (How do we connect?) c. Neuroplasticity (What do we enable?) Take-away? 3copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Library Service Meets Brain Research! All brain research is preliminary Group Activity: Brain-Hand Model 4copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 1: S.C.A.R.F. The Seesaw prefrontal cortex -- limbic system S – Status C – Certainty A – Autonomy R – Relatedness F - Fairness 5copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 1: S.C.A.R.F. [Personal, experiential activity - partner exercise] You will partner with your seat neighbour on this. Remember an experience where your status was threatened or you were treated in a way that you perceived as unfair Contrast this with: An experience where you felt valued, your dignity as a human being was recognized 6copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 1: S.C.A.R.F. [Activity debrief] What did you notice? How does this relate to the work we do? 7copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 1: S.C.A.R.F. [Conclusio] Respecting SCARF principle rewards: – Positive impact on client experience – Highly relevant for functional teamwork, especially in libraries with sub-teams that need to collaborate 8copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 2: The Mirror Neuron System How do we connect? A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another. [1] Thus, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting. (Source: wikipedia.org)neuronfires [1] 9copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 2: The Mirror Neuron System [Reflective, knowledge-creating activity (small groups)] Create a small group of 3-4 people Consider our professional knowledge and experience (i.e. Reference Interview) Which connections do you see? What new light does this throw on the work we do? 10copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 2: The Mirror Neuron System [Activity debrief] What were your discussion points? What insights did you have? 11copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 2: The Mirror Neuron System [Conclusio] Identify opportunities for intentional action Treat each interaction as unique 12copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 3: Neuroplasticity What do we enable? According to the theory of neuroplasticity, thinking, learning, and acting actually change both the brain's physical structure (anatomy) and functional organization (physiology) [...]. (Source: wikipedia.org) 13copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 3: Neuroplasticity Brief exercise / Experiment Use your non-dominant hand and write your name, 5x. Now, with the same hand, write your name backwards (from right to left), 5x. 14copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 3: Neuroplasticity [Activity debrief] What was the shift in your experience? How did the exercise feel? How did it feel on the first, then on the 5 th try? Try this for 5 minutes a day for the next week. What is your expectation how this exercise will feel different in 3 days, and in 7 days? 15copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Brain Research 3: Neuroplasticity How can we design programming that helps our clients explore multiple perspectives and heightens awareness for current (thought & action) patterns? The awkwardness of trying something new – how do we make it as inviting as possible? How do we ensure that we explore unfamiliar terrain ourselves? Can we design stepping out of the comfort zone into our daily lives? 16copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Coaching Concepts Connect Neuroscience to Library Science Coaching ConceptsWhich can improve library services Validated by Brain Research SC ARFCreate Safe space, Inquire and explore, Collaboration Limbic – prefrontal seesaw Authentic Empathy, Intentional Action Treat each interaction as unique Mirror Neurons Heightening Awareness; Holding multiple perspectives Design programming content Neuroplasticity 17copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Library Services, meet Brain Research Libraries are too good an opportunity to waste! :go change lives, make the world a better place (just because you can) Last ( !) Activity: articulate your take-away 18copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching

Thank You! You can contact me at: copyright © 2010 MandalCoaching