Last week, we tweeted about Seattle Public Library's Citywide Conversations - SPL's process of getting input from the public regarding their strategic planning process. Our director, Diane, just returned from the first of these scheduled conversations, where she snapped this cell phone photo:

As the Library puts it, "These 'open houses' at five libraries are designed to have participants 'think big' and use their creativity in considering new models, services and potentially new roles for the Library."

From Diane's description, there's no big presentation and no large facilitated conversation. Instead, there are large post-it pads placed around the room, and attendees are given smaller post-its or stickers to place on ideas of their choice. This is a really great, "non-confrontational" way to get ideas - nobody has to stand up to a microphone and speak to the whole audience, they can just express their approval, or disapproval, through a sticky note on a notepad.

Although there are no more scheduled for the Central Library, you can attend a Citywide Conversation at the following branches: