Imagine your first job is working for Walt Disney. How would that shape you professionally and personally? How would working in a bastion of creativity mold your thinking and your commitment to excellence? Meet Marty Sklar, our 2016 Charlemae Rollins President’s Program keynote speaker, who joined Walt Disney himself in the 1950’s. From that experience, Mr. Sklar has helped shape advancements and innovations in creative services to children in film making and space design, helped evolve the ways in which innovation for children is developed and how creativity is framed for us all. His first role at Disney was as a college student who was asked to create an 1890-themed newspaper, The Disneyland News, which sold on Main Street the first year the park was opened. During his early years at Disney, Marty not only learned Walt’s way of thinking and working, but was able to translate this into worldwide messages.
Mr. Sklar quickly became the vice chairman of the Imagineers, the creative force behind the Disney Empire. From conceptual thinking to the actual implementation, the Imagineers are the people who bring the Disney vision to life. Marty guided creative development and led the Imagineering creative staff, delivering innovative creations for Disney parks and resorts. His area has also led Disney resort hotels and the Disney Cruise Line ships, and has created concepts for restaurants, children’s museums and hospitals, traveling shows, and exhibitions. In 2005 he moved into the role of international ambassador, and although he retired in 2009, he is still active speaking and lecturing, and we are lucky to have him join us for the 2016 Charlemae Rollins President’s Program, where he will inform and delight us with insights into one of the world’s most creative processes. And how perfect for us as we will be in Orlando: an important and easily recognized center of creativity for children.
President Andrew Medlar’s vision about how libraries’ physical space can inspire, engage and transform will be carried through a world-class panel of speakers who will advance our theme. We will also learn from Richland PL and Clemson University how they are evoking imagination through robotized architecture in the Richland Public Library LIT Room. To get a flavor for this, check out this video: http://www.richlandlibrary.com/inform/lit-room-ignites-young-minds.
We will be joined by the Center for Children’s Creativity who will help us deepen our understanding of the ways in which environments encourage and support creativity. Learn their evidence based approach to the 7 key principles they have identified for fostering childhood creativity development. This includes imagination and originality and flexibility. This translates as design principals in space that include: child directed, risk friendly, emotionally attuned, active, time flexible and exploratory spaces. You can whet your appetite for their work in an important document entitled: Resources for Promoting Childhood Creativity found here: https://issuu.com/bayareadiscoverymuseum/docs/library_resource_document
At the President’s Program, we will highlight libraries from around the world, and would love to feature the good ideas you have put into practice, or photos of libraries that have inspired you. Please tweet pictures to #ALSCprez so we may share them during the program. We are excited to meet and learn with you and celebrate President Medlar’s vision for transforming libraries through space.
See you soon.
— Liz McChesney, Director of Children and Family Services-Chicago Public Library System
— Christy Estrovitz, Youth Services Manager-San Francisco Public Library
The Charlemae Rollins President’s Program is generously supported by Disney Publishing Worldwide and Friends of ALSC.