Changing Organizational Culture Through Connected Learning Practices

What does it take to build organizations that support integrating connected learning principles into youth activities and services? The Transforming Teen Services: A Train the Trainer Approach (T3) IMLS funded initiative (managed by the Young Adult Library Services Association and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) is uncovering the answer to that question. T3 centers on training over 125 library staff from across the United States, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Washington, DC on how to train others in the what, why, and how of connected learning. Those trained travel across their states training others. As a part of their facilitations, trainers (who ultimately act as mentors and coaches to those they train) highlight the importance of supporting teens in communities nationwide and model how to advocate for the value of this work. In this interactive workshop participants will join in activities highlighting techniques used by T3 trainers which have proven effective in changing and improving organizational culture. Participants will analyze why these techniques are successful in culture change and have the opportunity to plan for bringing these techniques to their own settings.