SRLC Presents: From Potlucks to Planning - Cindy Fesemyer

Cindy Fesemyer was a newcomer to a small rural community when she took the job as their new Library Director. During her seven years in that position, she grew from a clueless newbie to a strong community advocate. With some training, strong partnerships, and little bit of fake-it-till-you-make-it, she and her team positioned the library as a go-to resource for the entire community. She shares her experience with community engagement efforts as an example of libraries at the center of small rural communities.

Instructor: Cindy Fesemyer is the Adult and Community Services Consultant for the State Library of Wisconsin. Previous to that she served for seven years as the Director of the Columbus Public Library in Columbus, Wisconsin where she and her team earned a runner up honor as Library Journal's 2017 Best Small Library in America. Cindy serves as a Library Trustee for the Madison Public Library and is a member-at-large on the Board of the Public Library Association. In her capacity as an engaged rural librarian, she sat on advisory councils for the ALA Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change program and the Philadelphia Free Library's IMLS Award for Community-Centered Librarianship. Librarianship is Cindy's second career, following 14 years in nonprofit administration, fundraising, and community organizing. On a personal level, Cindy is sustained by her radio-host husband and their twin, teenage, soccer-fanatic daughters.

Webinar link will be emailed to registered attendees the day before the event starts. 

This project is made possible by grant funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan.