Libraries don’t rise by accident. They rise by design.
I help libraries transform staff, systems, and storytelling using the Library Systems Persuasion Model (LSPM) — a framework for moving people from curiosity to commitment with intention.
Available for consulting, staff training, and keynotes for public, academic, and special libraries.
About Christopher
I am a librarian, systems thinker, and strategist who believes libraries are not just buildings with books — they are engines for human possibility.
I’ve worked inside public libraries at nearly every level: from front-line associate to branch manager leading a high-performing team. Along the way I’ve helped grow key metrics, deepen school and community partnerships, and support organizational change efforts.
Over time, I realized that most libraries don’t struggle because people don’t care. They struggle because the systems, workflows, and language we use don’t consistently move people forward. Staff are dedicated. Collections are strong. Spaces are open. But the persuasion is often accidental instead of intentional.
The Library Systems Persuasion Model (LSPM) emerged as my answer to that gap — a way to bring structure, language, and strategy to the everyday moments where patrons decide whether to lean in or walk away.
My work sits at the intersection of:
- Library & Information Science
- Systems thinking and organizational design
- The psychology of persuasion and decision-making
- Narrative, identity, and community-centered leadership
I don’t show up with vague inspiration. I show up with a model, a shared language, and a process that your staff and leadership can use together.
How I Help Libraries
Strategic Consulting
I work with library leaders to diagnose where persuasion is breaking down — in workflows, staff communication, signage, programming, or leadership messaging — and design targeted interventions using LSPM.
- System or branch-level assessment of staff, space, and service flow
- Mapping patron journeys from awareness to engagement to advocacy
- Identifying friction points and persuasion gaps
- Concrete recommendations for scripts, signage, and service design
Staff Training & Workshops
Persuasion in libraries isn’t about pressure. It’s the art of connecting people with what they already need.
- Equip staff with language that feels natural, not “salesy”
- Help staff understand patron psychology and decision-making
- Re-energize teams around mission and shared purpose
- Give front-line staff a clear sense of their impact
Speaking & Keynotes
I speak to librarians, educators, and leaders about the future of library work, the power of systems, and the role of persuasion in public service.
- “Library Persuasion: Moving People Toward Knowledge”
- “The System is the Service: Rethinking How Libraries Work”
- “Beyond Imposter Syndrome: Voice, Value, and Vision in LIS”
Leadership Advisory
For Executive Directors, senior managers, and boards navigating change, I offer limited advisory partnerships.
- Integrate LSPM into strategic planning and restructuring
- Align leadership messaging with on-the-floor reality
- Support culture-building and staff engagement efforts
- Serve as a thinking partner around complex decisions
The Library Systems Persuasion Model (LSPM)
The Library Systems Persuasion Model is a framework I created to answer one core question:
“How do we design libraries so the system itself persuades people into deeper engagement?”
LSPM brings structure to the everyday moments that decide whether a patron drifts out or leans in — the greeting at the desk, the path through the building, the way we describe a service, the clarity of a sign, the follow-up after a program.
Instead of leaving those moments to chance, LSPM gives your organization a shared lens and a practical set of tools.
LSPM looks at four core dimensions:
- People – How staff speak, listen, and respond in ways that move patrons forward.
- Process – How policies, workflows, and service points either invite or discourage engagement.
- Place – How the physical environment, from furniture to signage, communicates value and guides behavior.
- Story – How the library talks about itself — on the floor, online, and in the community.
With LSPM, persuasion becomes intentional instead of accidental. Staff know what they’re aiming for, leadership can see results, and patrons feel the difference.
Speaking & Trainings
I don’t just talk about libraries — I speak to the heart of library work. My sessions blend lived experience, systems thinking, and a direct but affirming style that leaves staff and leaders both challenged and energized.
Whether you need a keynote to open a conference, a workshop to equip front-line staff, or a focused session for leadership, we can build the right format for your context.
Sample Sessions
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“Library Persuasion: The Art of Moving People Toward Knowledge”
An introduction to LSPM and how staff at every level can use simple shifts in language, posture, and process to increase patron engagement. -
“The New Librarian: Voice, Value, and Vision”
A session for staff and leaders who struggle with feeling unseen or undervalued. This talk reframes librarianship as a powerful, persuasive profession. -
“Designing a Persuasive Library System”
A half-day or full-day workshop where we map patron journeys, identify friction points, and start redesigning scripts, signage, and workflows using LSPM.
Why Libraries Work With Me
1. I’ve lived the work.
I’m not speaking from the outside. I’ve worked the desk, supported staff, led a branch, and participated in strategic planning during times of change. I know what it feels like to juggle reality on the floor with expectations from above.
2. I bring a model, not just motivation.
Inspiration fades if there’s no structure behind it. LSPM gives your organization a concrete, repeatable framework for staff behavior, space design, and messaging — something you can keep using after the training is over.
3. I honor both people and outcomes.
The work is human first. At the same time, your board, funders, and leaders need to see results. My approach respects dignity and story while still caring about metrics and impact.
4. We build together.
I don’t drop in with a one-size-fits-all solution. We listen, map what’s already working, and design persuasion into the unique character of your system and community.
Working Together
Every partnership starts with a conversation. From there, we scale up or down based on your goals, capacity, and timeline.
Discovery Call
We talk about your system, your challenges, and what you’re hoping to change. No pressure, no hard sell — just clarity.
Proposal
You receive a recommended path: speaking, training, consulting, or a combination. You choose what makes sense for your library.
Implementation
We schedule sessions, conduct assessments, and begin applying LSPM with your staff and leadership.
Follow-Up & Reflection
We debrief, look at early data, and identify next steps for sustained impact and long-term culture shift.
Let’s Talk
If you’re ready to explore how LSPM and library persuasion can support your staff, your systems, and your community, I’d love to hear from you.
Use the form to share a bit about your library and what you’re looking for. A brief message is enough to start the conversation.
Prefer email? You can also reach out directly at cfleming.lspm@gmail.com