Will Unwound

Over the past 30 years Will Manley has done more than 350 presentations at international, national, state, and regional library conferences.  Will is also available for staff development days.

Will’s Presentation Topics – Here are a few of the topics on which Will has spoken.  He will tailor his presentations to the needs of your organization.

• 30 to 75 minute stand up comedy routine on the lighter side of librarianship.  You have your pick of humor with a message or humor without a message.  NOTE: Will is a lot funnier at banquets when everyone has had a few drinks.
• “Can We Speak Frankly About Intellectual Freedom Without Being Censored by the Library Profession?”
• “Trustees and Directors: Partnership or Power Struggle?”
• “Managing in Tough Times (which for librarians is always!)”
• “Retirement for Librarians: Dead End or New Beginning?”
• “Do Libraries Have a Future…Yes, as long as Patrons Keep Asking Stupid Questions!”
• “Library Employees and Directors: Are they from Different Planets?”
• “Kids are a Mess but They Will Make Your Library a Success”
• “One Phone Call Equals a Community Consensus: Lobbying Your Elected Officials”
• “You’re Born and Then You Die: the Need for Humor in the Work Place”

Cost: 

• For a state library conference, Will typically charges an honorarium of $3,000 plus travel and lodging costs.  For this price Will agrees to give up to 3 different presentations.
• For a library staff development or inservice day, Will typically charges an honorarium of $2,000 plus travel and lodging costs.  For this price Will agrees to provide whatever is needed for the day of training.

Presentation Style:

• Will does not use powerpoint or anything that needs to be plugged in.  If a white board or flip chart is available Will will use them to record audience participation, which is a big part of his delivery style.  If no white boards or flip charts are available, Will will write on the wall.  His motto is “have Sharpie will travel.”
• Will does need a walkaround mike so that he can get audience participation ala Oprah or Phil.
• Will is also intensively into the use of hand and finger puppets to assist in his presentations.  It helps if the audience members bring their own puppets to his presentations.
• The emphasis is on fun.

You can contact Will for presentations and staff development days by Emailing him at: wmanley7@att.net .