Library Leaders Sought for Institute

Library Leadership Massachusetts seeks potential leaders in all types of libraries from across the state. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems plan a 3.5-day library leadership institute to take place June 12-15, 2005 at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

Participants will include up to fifty (50) individuals from all types of libraries, including those who have a limited number of years in their fields. Applicants may be professional or paraprofessional library staff, trustees and/or Friends of libraries.

Schreiber Shannon Associates, prominent national consultants, will guide the institute. Future leaders will relate to library issues through case studies, readings, discussions, and other planned learning activities. The institute will create a structure for continuing supportive relationships among its participants.

Among the topics to be addressed are:

• Self-awareness
• Assessing the environment
• Standing in the future
• The collaborative spirit
• Embracing change
• Empowering self and others
• Bias for action

In exchange, the Institute requires graduates to participate in advocacy for MA libraries through professional organizations and/or contributions to publications or newsletters.

Individuals may nominate themselves or a colleague. Since space is limited, participants will be selected through a competitive process. Applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2004 via the application form available at www.cmrls.org/lead.html.

The Institute is federally funded in part by LSTA funds through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.