When: Oct 6 – Nov 16, 2025 (4 weeks)
Where: Online & Asynchronous
Cost: $275 (10% discount if you register 2 weeks in advance!)
CE Credit: 2.0 CEUs / 20 LEUs
Program: 318926
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Questions? Email the CE Team
Have you seen the need to improve or change services, but your current library facility is holding you back? Lack the funds to hire a consultant or facing opposition from your funders? This course will share tools on how to assess your needs and outline a vision for the new or enhanced space. Students will be able to create and communicate their vision and plan to the community and library stakeholders to kick off your fundraising efforts. By the end of this course, participants will feel more confident in beginning the path forward for an improved library space for their community, whether it is a new building, a large-scale renovation/expansion, or a small-scale transformation.
Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate their facility and develop an assessment and space needs document
- Create a vision for their new space by drafting a building program statement outline
- Develop a library facility storytelling toolkit
- Craft a proposed fundraising outline
Course Audience: This course is ideal for any public library directors and library staff who want to begin planning for a new library or renovating/expanding their current facility.
Required Materials: WHAT THE $@!! AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO? A Library Building and Space Planning Guidebook. Free PDF is emailed to you when you complete this form https://forms.gle/VAKj3zrXKEfGvNoo7
Instructor
John has over 30 years of public library administration experience including 18 years as the Director of the IFLS Library System (Eau Claire, WI). He regularly consults on all aspects of library administration and planning. As the library system’s building consultant, he has worked with over 30 public libraries on various aspects of space planning and building projects including space needs assessment, architect selection, interior layouts, funding, assisting owner representatives at construction meetings, furniture selection, and space re-configurations.
John has presented various webinars and at various conferences including The Association for Rural & Small Libraries and the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries on library buildings and space planning. He was awarded the WLA/DEMCO Librarian of the Year Award in 2021.
John recently launched his own consulting firm JT Library Planning. John can be reached at jtlibraryplanning@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jtlibraryplanningwi for more information regarding his consulting services.