Event: 2026 Directors’ Retreat at the Lehigh Portland State Park Welcome Center, Iola, KS
Date: October 1, 2026
Amy organized the Directors into small group discussions, first by size and then by location, that were facilitated by SEKLS staff. We all got to know each other better and share ideas and contacts.
We also heard from Dan Alexander, NEKLS Consultant, about The Art of Gathering, based on the book by Priya Parker. Brenda Hough and Dan presented this at KLA in 2025.
Key points:
- Priya argues that a gathering needs a purpose, to answer why the gathering is taking place, “so that what?” Having a clear purpose helps you say no.
- Gatherings include:
- Priming (preparation)
- Opening (“don’t start a funeral with logistics” but instead start with a deeper, magical question)
- Generous Authority (never leave a power vacuum)
- Good Controversy (conflict means you care, tension may belong in the gathering depending on its purpose)
- Closing (the ‘Namaste’ moment, such as a group photo, the benediction, the curtain call)
Diane Cucar, Moline Public Library, and Jessie Hoag, Toronto Public Library, presented Small Library, Big Impact. They also presented this at KLA in 2025.
Key points:
- Shift your mindset from scarcity to strategy – how can we make this happen and how can we leverage our personal connections to patrons?
- Small libraries are flexible, connected, and able to pivot quickly
- Design your space for flexibility with mobile furniture, hidden storage, zoning without walls, and a decluttered/weeded space
- Focus on community needs and how the library can step up or step in to meet ghat need
- Be resourceful and use the Library System, free online tools, and “creative funding” (grants, sponsorships, and fundraisers)
- “Relationships are Resources” so use partnerships to “multiply your impact” with mutually beneficial community partnerships
- Focus on programs that ‘run themselves’ but also meet a community need, such as coffee and conversation, game days, and “mommy and mee meet ups”
- “Arm your people with stories and pride” and leverage your internal champions: trustees and volunteers
- Generate community buy-in and celebrate, network, and pace yourself to avoid burnout
Small Library, Big Impact Resources:
- Small Library, Big Impact Presentation Slides
- County Health Rankings and Roadmaps: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data
- State Health Facts: https://www.kff.org/state-health-facts/
- Grants & Scholarships: https://library.ks.gov/librarians/scholarships
- Kansas Food Bank: https://kansasfoodbank.org/
- Programming Librarian (ALA): https://programminglibrarian.org/
- Movement Programming: https://letsmovelibraries.org/program-ideas/
- Quick Marketing Ideas: http://www.5minlib.com/
- Marketing Design Share: https://librariandesignshare.org/
Art of Gathering Resources:
- Art of Gathering: Interview of Priya Parker by Brené Brown Part 1 and Part 2
- Art of Fighting: Priya’s interview with Library Speakers Consortium about The Art of Fighting, requires registering to view the recording: https://libraryc.
org/marketingdemos/195799 - Magical Questions: https://www.npr.
org/2025/05/29/nx-s1-5355077/ want-to-cut-through-small- talk-try-asking-a-magical- question, https://www. instagram.com/p/DEDJfVDyqnr/? hl=en, https://buildfaith.org/ magical-questions-for- formation-gatherings/
