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REFORMA Institute 2019: The Power of Communication

The REFORMA Institute will be a one-day program where participants will engage in conversations on the Power of Communication.  
Language is one of the most powerful tools that we as humans possess. To humans, words are more than a means of communication, they shape our beliefs, behaviors, feelings, and ultimately our actions. Words describe our origins, our destinations, and the journeys we wish to take--while tapping into culture and the senses.

As defined, communication is ‘a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding’.

Communication helps people daily, whether it be in problem-solving or in the delivery of vital information. The slightest exchange of words can make an impact on so many levels. Communication is the foundation of what we do as library professionals:  emails, phone calls, meetings, negotiations, reference questions, programming, performance reviews, grant proposals, instruction sessions, research guides, cover letters, job interviews—they are all a basis for storytelling and telling a narrative that propels us forward in the profession.

The power of communication moves people into action. It shows an individual’s commitment and serves as inspiration. To be an effective communicator, one must know how to effectively navigate the verbal, non-verbal, intellectual, and emotional roads that lead to human connection and understand that at the core of communication sits an understanding of the world around us.

The REFORMA Institute will explore the many areas of communication that create and support leaders in the library profession.