Download 2017.3 Leadership Academy Report

PLA Board of Directors
Fall Meeting 2016
2017.3
TO:
RE:
DATE:
PLA Board of Directors
Leadership Academy
September 12, 2016
ACTION REQUESTED/INFORMATION/REPORT:
Information
ACTION REQUESTED BY:
Lian Drago, Angela Maycock, Charmin Members
DRAFT OF MOTION:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The PLA Leadership Academy is a career-changing event for public librarians, designed to empower
participants with the knowledge necessary to be innovative and successful leaders of change. Its focus is
on developing skills to work with municipal officials to enhance the position of the library within the
community and improve the effectiveness of library activities and programs. It consists of:
 An Immersive In-Person Event
 Unique City/County Management Perspective
 Professional Coach Program
 Project-Based Engagement
As a result of participating in the PLA Leadership Academy, applicants will:
 Understand the nature of effective leadership in public libraries and the context in which that
leadership will be needed in the coming years;
 Build personal leadership awareness and effectiveness;
 Understand the opportunities for and challenges of civic engagement, including skills for
effective community partnerships;
 Form a long term, sustainable mentoring network with colleagues and other experienced
leaders; and
 Know how to apply the above in the context of their particular library and community.
STATUS:
The 2017 Leadership Academy will take place March 19-24, 2017 in Portland, OR. A total of 28
participants will be selected. This compares to 24 participants in 2013 and 32 participants in 2015.
Applications opened July 13, 2016, with deadline of September 19. Teams of member volunteers will
review applications and select the 2017 participants. Notifications will be sent to all applicants by
November 30.
In collaboration with ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, PLA will award a
Spectrum Scholar travel grant of $1,500 to support travel and housing costs for one Spectrum Scholar to
attend the 2017 Leadership Academy. Applications for the travel grant are also due September 19, and
applicants must be accepted into the academy in order to qualify. For more information, please visit
www.ala.org/offices/2017-pla-leadership-academy-spectrum-scholar-travel-grant-application.
To learn more about PLA’s Leadership Academy, visit www.ala.org/pla/education/leadershipacademy.