We’ve recently had a lovely in person discussion with a group of members in Lancaster, trying to think about the next steps for the NeuroSpicy Library Network. This was just a small group though, so we’d really like some wider opinions on this. What do you think we should do next? Have you any strong feelings about the suggested next steps we’ve listed below as a result of that meeting? Please let us know! 

First steps:

• Create a slightly more formal committee structure to spread the workload and drive things forward (but not as formal as an incorporated organisation of some sort). So open out the opportunity for people to be on the committee and take ownership of specific roles.
• Deliberately expand scope for membership beyond the core we’ve started with to cover UK & Ireland, all library, information, and archive sectors. (We’ll try and send something out asap and post on the forum where we’ve sent it so people can duplicate on their networks).
• As we start to expand, “rebrand” with a different name, dropping the Neurospicy. Suggestions on the day included: Neurodivergent Library Network; Libraries – or LIS, include archives, information, knowledge, GLAM Network – or Peers, Unite; NLISN – Neurodivergent Library and Information Science/Staff Network (pronounced N-listen!). More suggestions, or preferences for one of those wanted please!
• Focus on direct support and networking for ND community, rather than too much time trying to influence NT people. So we might support the idea of training library managers, but not run such training as a group. Bring this into a clear definition of our scope.
• Expand the forum to have an option of a more “push” discussion system, either in addition to, or replacement of, the Flarum forum – e.g. a Jiscmail mailing list.

Work towards:

• Running regular (once or twice a year?) events that are focussed around sharing of experiences and building supportive networks for our ND community. Possibility of the first one being in Edinburgh. These should be low cost (preferably free to attend, but obviously travel costs would be incurred).
• Continue to create reports / outputs as we’ve started, including more time consuming research if possible into numbers of ND people in LIS workplaces (e.g. numbers declared / undeclared, salary levels, etc, etc)
• Not run training for NTs as a group, but support it being run by others.
• Facilitate a mentor or buddy scheme.

We’d love comments on whether this approach meets the needs of our ND community and ideas for longer term names for the group, please let us know via this form, where you can also express an interest in being on any newly formed committee.