My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program

My Experience with

(and more info on how you can get involved too)

Presented by Rachel Vacek

My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 2

Fast Facts

• 16 sponsored applicants from YALSA, LAMA, RUSA, ALCTS, AASL, PLA, LITA, ACRL, ASCLA, ALSC

• 5 sponsored applicants from GODORT, EMIERT, IFRT, MAGERT

• 20 sponsored applicants from ALA chapters including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas

• 5 sponsored applicants from ALA affiliates including the Black Caucus, Chinese American Library Association, REFORMA

• 2 sponsored applicants from Roy and Burger

• 1 sponsored applicant from IRRT

• 292 unsponsored applicants competing for the remaining 50 spots

• Representation from 41 states, as well as Canada and Washington DC


My understanding of how this program came to be

• Started with the New Jersey Library Association’s Emerging Leaders Program– Similar programs at state level across country

• Graying of the profession• Need for new leadership• Keeping those new to the profession, in the

profession


Projects

• How they were developed– Working with ALA Divisions, Chapters, Round

Tables, etc.– Given a huge list to choose from

• Some more developed than others• Many topics weren’t chosen

– Examples of projectshttp://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/index.php/2007_Projects_Page


Teams

• How they were formed– Rank the projects you are most interested in– Teams put together based on participant

demographics, type of library, focus of project, and shared interest in topic

– An ALA contact person and a mentor were assigned


RolesALA Contact Person• ensure that the project has clear direction and support • ensure that the project team understands the project requirements • serve as the primary resource on content questions • provide resources

Mentor• be a source of support • be a resource to the project team • maintain regular communication with the designated liaison from the team

Project Team• ensure that the project meets the stated objectives • ensure that the project is completed on time

Team Member• make a firm commitment to contribute his or her personal best • ensure that his or her work satisfies the needs of the project and is completed

on time


The Wiki and Blog

http://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/

http://blogs.ala.org/emergingleaders.php


People Involved


ALA President Leslie Burger (2006-2007) spearheaded the Emerging Leaders program and spoke to us at both the Midwinter and Annual Conferences. She spoke on what it means to be an emerging leader in the library world.


Maureen Sullivan donated her time to the Emerging Leaders Program, both at Midwinter and at Annual.

Maureen is an organization development consultant whose practice focuses on the delivery of consulting and training services to libraries and other information organizations. She’s simply amazing to work with!


Connie Paul, Executive Director of the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, ran the Emerging Leaders Program along side Maureen Sullivan. She provided a lot of insight on how to get more involved in the state chapters.


Jenny Levine, also known as the Shifted Librarian, is the Internet Development Specialist and Strategy Guide for ALA. She works half-time in the Information Technology and Telecommunications Services unit (ITTS) and half-time in the Publishing unit.

She volunteered her time to set up the wiki for the Emerging Leaders Program and helped with other technological issues. Jenny’s very cool!


ALA's Executive Director, Keith Fields, spoke quickly (he’s a busy man!) about the importance of getting involved in ALA, being on committees, and taking leadership roles.


Jim Rettig, incoming ALA President (2007-2008), spoke to us about becoming leaders in ALA and what it means to be involved in the library profession


Others involved

• Pat Tumulty– Executive Director, New Jersey Library

Association• Emily Sheketoff

– ALA Washington Office Director


EL @ Midwinter & Annual


The Emerging Leaders Program at Midwinter was held in the amazing Seattle Public Library.

At Annual, it was held in the Convention Center.


What happened at Midwinter?• Program was ALL day Friday• Overview and history of program• Maureen provides consultation on leadership and gives a

long presentation• Large and small group discussion of leadership and

teamwork • Explanation of projects, teams, expectations, poster session,

commitment to ALA, etc.• Teams had several hours to brainstorm and plan how to work

virtually over next 6 months leading up to Annual• Other speakers talked about how to get more involved in ALA

and at the state and local levels• Breakfast and lunch were included


What happened at Annual?• Program was ALL day Friday, with other receptions to follow later that

weekend• Assembled and set up posters• Large and small group discussion of leadership and teamwork• Discussion of what worked and what didn’t work• Groups had time to talk about the next steps for specific projects

– Some could end there, and others could continue on– Opportunities for publishing articles, presentations, etc.

• Other speakers talked again about how to get more involved in ALA and at the state and local levels

• Maureen talked again about leadership and affecting change• Breakfast and lunch were included• 2-hour Poster Presentation and reception• Emerging Leaders Reception with ALA Board Members & Executive

Council @ President’s Suite• Invited to many other receptions or events


We had large group as well as small group discussions.


Working Virtually


Expectations of Us• Communicate virtually over the next 6 months, culminating

with a poster session at Annual• Prepare a project plan, and define roles of team members

• Use free online, open-source software and Web 2.0 tools to communicate– Project Management Software (Basecamp)– Wikis– Blogs– VoIP

• Contribute to the EL Wiki• Communication!!!


Challenges

• Busy with other things• Technology problems• Communicating electronically• Finding time when all team members were

available to talk• Different working styles and personalities• Defining what project is really about


The Poster Sessions and Reception













My Evaluation of the Program


Why this program was awesome• Great addition to resume• Learn new leadership and project management skills• It was amazing working with like-minded, young librarians• Become more proficient in working in a virtual team• Meet new librarians across the country and in different types

of libraries• Network, network, network• Gain a better understanding of ALA and its structure• Unintended recognition• Opportunity to get involved and give back to the profession• Get recruited for other jobs


Things that could be improved next time

• Clearer definition of projects and expectations• Collaboration between team members, mentors, and contact

persons• Better facilitated discussions• More group discussions• Better communication• Better planning ahead• More involvement from ALA divisions, chapters, round tables,

etc.• More discussion on how to effect change from the bottom• Make projects more meaningful by having solid sponsorship• Virtual communication or discussions on leadership between

Midwinter and Annual


How can you get involved?


Just do it - Apply

• Deadline for 2008 Program is Aug. 15, 2007– http://cs.ala.org/hrdr/emergingleaders/

• Get sponsorship if you can– Each sponsor contributes up to $1000 for

expenses ($500 each conference)– Selection is made by the sponsoring organization – Option for sponsorship is on application


RequirementsYou must be all of the following:

1. An ALA member2. Under 35 years old OR a new librarian of any age with

fewer than 5 years post-MLS experience 3. Recent MLS degree from an ALA or NCATE accredited

program or in an MLS program currently4. Able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in

between5. Ready to commit to serve on an ALA Division, Chapter, or

Round Table committee, taskforce or workgroup upon completion of program

(and be willing to work hard and have fun!!!)


What’s needed to apply?• Description of membership in societies and professional

organizations; any awards, scholarships, prizes, honors and offices held

• Description of leadership, community, civic, and volunteer experiences

• Essay on the impact the Emerging Leaders program might have on your educational and professional aspirations

• Personal statement• A current Resume or CV (2 pages max)• Names of 2 references who are willing to write a letter or

recommendation• Certification from employer that you will be able to attend

both Midwinter and Annual



The power to transform our libraries rests with all of us.

- Leslie Burger

Thanks!

Contact me with questions:

[email protected]! IM: vacekrae

AIM: vacekrae1976

Education

My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program