by Rebecca J. Morris, June 2016

Concept maps, or mind maps, can be a helpful method to brainstorm, list and organize ideas, and see the disparate components of a larger planning picture, especially in the early stages. To map your ideas, you can draw a concept map of connected boxes or bubbles on paper. You might also use Google Draw (part of the free Google Tools suite), an app like Popplet (popplet.com), or sets of text boxes in Word.

Start with a main idea or question, and list responses, suggestions, ideas, and new questions by adding bubbles or boxes. Use the map for active, stream-of-consciousness planning. Revisit your map(s) to notice patterns, themes, and priorities. Use the map to shape the next steps in the program development, including what you need to gather in an environmental scan and needs assessment, and how you will construct your goals.

Here are some possible topics and questions to include in your concept map(s), along with some sample sections from concept maps. Your planning process might be organized as one big map, or perhaps as series of smaller maps. Keep in mind that these are BIG questions, not yet granular enough to plan a program. In other words, we’re looking at the overall picture, not necessarily the individual steps for implementing an event.

• Who are the stakeholders that we need to consider? (see Images Sample 1)
• What are benefits that the library program offers TO the stakeholders? What can the library program gain FROM the stakeholders?
• Who are strong, current advocates of the library?
• Who are potential advocates that may not yet know about the library?
• How can we align this library program with the school mission? (see Images Sample 2)
• What are current opportunities for outreach in the library? In the school? What other communities of learners, volunteers, leaders, and advocates exist in the school?
• Why build a community of learners? Why am I (the school librarian) interested in this?
• What are the goals for this initiative? What are the components of the goals? What are long-term and short-term goals? How does this effort relate to other aspects of the library mission and program?
• What are my (the librarian’s) strengths when it comes to community building? What are areas for growth?
• What resources should I consult in this planning process?
• What people should be involved? Who might participate? Who might lead or co-lead?
• What are approaches to consider for conducting an environmental scan or needs assessment? Who should be included? How will I organize the information that I collect?
• How does professional development figure in to the community of learners? Who can I call upon to help with this part?