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

Fast Facts • 16 sponsored applicants from • 5 sponsored applicants from ALA YALSA, LAMA, RUSA, ALCTS, affiliates including the Black AASL, PLA, LITA, ACRL, Caucus, Chinese American ASCLA, ALSC Library Association, REFORMA • 5 sponsored applicants from • 2 sponsored applicants from Roy GODORT, EMIERT, IFRT, and Burger MAGERT • 1 sponsored applicant from IRRT • 20 sponsored applicants from ALA chapters including Colorado, • 292 unsponsored applicants Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, competing for the remaining 50 Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, spots Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New • Representation from 41 states, as York, Ohio, Oklahoma, well as Canada and Washington Pennsylvania, Texas DC My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 2

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 3

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 projects http://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/index.php/2007_Projects_Page My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 4

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 5

Roles ALA 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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 6

The Wiki and Blog http://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/ http://blogs.ala.org/emergingleaders.php My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 7

People Involved My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 8

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. My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 9

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! My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 10

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. My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 11

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! My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 12

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. My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 13

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 14

Others involved • Pat Tumulty – Executive Director, New Jersey Library Association • Emily Sheketoff – ALA Washington Office Director My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 15

EL @ Midwinter & Annual My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 16

The Emerging Leaders Program at Midwinter was held in the amazing Seattle Public Library. At Annual, it was held in the Convention Center. My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 17

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 18

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 19

We had large group as well as small group discussions. My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 20

Working Virtually My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 21

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!!! My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 22

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 23

The Poster Sessions and Reception My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 24

My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 25

My Evaluation of the Program My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 36

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 37

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 38

How can you get involved? My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 39

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 40

Requirements You must be all of the following: 1. An ALA member 2. 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 currently 4. Able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between 5. 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!!!) My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 41

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 My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 42

The power to transform our libraries rests with all of us. - Leslie Burger My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program, 2007 44

Thanks! Contact me with questions: rachel.vacek@owen.vanderbilt.edu Y! IM: vacekrae AIM: vacekrae1976

My Experience with the ALA Emerging Leaders Program

by Rachel Vacek

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