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These articles were originally part of May/June 2010's "Perspective's" column, but due to space restrictions could not be included in the print edition. Please take the time to gather some great leadership ideas with this web-only content!

NYLA's Leadership Academy

In 2005, the New York Library Association (NYLA) launched its Leadership and Management Academy.  The Leadership Academy was created to educate emerging leaders in the library profession on topics and issues essential to becoming an effective library manager or director.

The Leadership Academy is composed of ten courses on the following topics: Budgeting, Fundraising and Board Relations, Communications, Conflict Resolution and Team Building, Time Management and Organizational Skills, Strategic Planning, Facilities Management, Leadership and Management Practices, Legal Issues and Human Resources.  The courses are taken over an 18-month period and offered during a Summer Session and at the Annual Conference.

“NYLA saw there was a niche to fill in providing professional developing to aspiring library managers and offering courses on topics not covered in library school and that would be relevant to running a library”, stated Michael J. Borges, NYLA Executive Director.

Since the establishment of the Leadership Academy, 70 librarians from college, public and school  libraries have enrolled in the program and 22 have graduated so far.   Participants in the Academy have gone on to lead several libraries in the state.  In order to be accepted into the Leadership Academy, the applicant must have a Bachelors degree and five years of experience in a library or an MLS and two years of experience working in a library. 

“The program exceeded my expectations and was one of the most valuable continuing education experiences that I’ve had in my professional career”, said Tim Burke, Deputy Director of the Albany Public Library.  “In addition to the knowledge acquired from the coursework, the opportunity to meet and collaborate with library professionals from across the state was the other lasting benefit of the Academy experience”, continued Mr. Burke.

Promotion of the Leadership Academy is done through email list serves, brochure mailings, newsletters as well as word of mouth from past and current participants in the Leadership Academy.

 “There was immediate application of the skills gained during the various classes, which I was then able to build on so that I could better serve my library and progress in my career”, stated Evelyn Butrico, Director of the East Greenbush Public Library.  “The small class size allowed for ample, lively discussions and exchange of ideas. I work now with many of the people with whom I participated in the Leadership Academy.  I fell honestly that without the connections that I made then I would not be in the position I am now”, concluded Ms. Butrico.

The next session of NYLA’s Leadership and Management Academy will be offered in June 2010 in Saratoga Springs, New York. For more information about the Leadership Academy, visit www.nyla.org  and click on professional development.