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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!

WLLI: Developing Librarians

It was the spring of 2001 and I was 15 months into my job as Library Director of the Johnson County Library System in Wyoming.  I was born and raised in the small town of Buffalo--4000 people. My employment at the Johnson County Library began in 1990 as the young adult librarian, technical services librarian, circulation librarian and all-round jack-of-all-trades librarian. (That is just the way it is in small library settings.)  The community had been genuinely supportive and encouraging of me as I attempted to fill the very large shoes of my predecessor, Barbara Fraley, another hometown girl who had been the Library Director for 18 years.  Things seemed to be going well, but my outward calm was a cover for a lot of insecurities. I was overseeing the work of my peers, other women my age and older, some of whom had more years of library experience than I did.  I was having some serious concerns about my ability to be the kind of leader they and the community needed.   Then the Wyoming State Library sent out a general invitation to all Wyoming’s librarians.  They would be hosting a Wyoming Library Leadership Institute in the summer for the purpose of training and grooming prospective library leaders. The timing was perfect for my needs.  With the encouragement of Chris Van Burgh from the Wyoming State Library, I applied to attend the first Wyoming Library Leadership Institute.

Wyoming finds itself in a unique situation.  We have one four year college in the state.  It hasn’t offered a Library Science program for over 20 years.  Wyoming is a large state with a small population.  Out of necessity, Wyoming libraries have become masters of cooperation and collaboration, sharing resources as a statewide consortium.  But because of the educational challenges, the library community was facing a leadership crisis.  The Wyoming Library Leadership Institute was built on what works in Wyoming—the involvement of librarians from every type of library—public, academic, school and special and from every job description—directors and managers;  technical, reference, and children’s librarians, even bookkeepers!

The competitive application process for the leadership program was thought provoking and acceptance into the Institute required an investment of one’s time and effort on behalf of the Wyoming Library Association, one’s community, and one’s home library.  It was a little like a marriage—“not to be entered into lightly” and with responsibilities understood.  Under the excellent guidance of National Outdoor Leadership School (Lander, WY) personnel and Jep Enck, a private consultant from Fort Collins, Colorado. I found myself challenged, encouraged, and enlightened.  During a particular session on leadership qualities and styles, my eyes were opened.  There are many different kinds of leadership; they each have their own strengths; one style is not necessarily better than another; the strengths within one’s style can be developed.  This was exactly what I needed to hear.  It is not an exaggeration to say that this was a turning point in my leadership path.  That gem of truth, confidence and courage in my personal leadership style, have been played out in leadership roles in the Wyoming Library Association—I was Chair of the Legislative Committee for eight years, during which time a Public  Library Endowment Challenge Program became a state law; I served as the President of the Wyoming Library Association in 2008-09; I was named Wyoming’s Librarian of the Year in 2008; I spearheaded a movement to evaluate the Wyoming Library Association’s organization structure and bring it into the 21st century; I serve on various community boards and committees; I now feel that the Johnson County Library System and the communities it serves has the leader they deserve.

In its nine years, the Wyoming Library Leadership Institute has hosted nearly 120 applicants.  About 75% of these are still in the state and many have taken on leadership positions in the Wyoming Library Association.  The initial goal for the program has been realized.  WLLI has allowed us to cultivate a core group of leader-librarians who will carry us into the future.   Unfortunately, funding for the program has dwindled in the  past two years.  Grant funds  from the Carol McMurry Library Endowment have been expended, LSTA funding no longer applies to this type of staff development.

Chris Van Burgh from the Wyoming State Library has been totally committed to the leadership program from its inception.  Her efforts have been key to the longevity of the program.  Knowing that WLLI graduates are passionate about continuing this vital leadership opportunity, she organized a strategic planning session in the summer of 2009.  Fifteen WLLI grads met in Lander, Wyoming.  This was a labor of love with participants paying their own expenses for travel and enjoying a camp out at a site in Sinks Canyon west of Lander, Wyoming.  The strategic plan started with graduates making personal donations to establish a pool of seed money for the 2010 class.   Recruitment of potential participants, grant writing, bringing the Institute under the banner of the Wyoming Library Association, heightened marketing to all Wyoming librarians, some creative fund-raising activities and a Facebook presence as a communication tool are some of the steps that have been taken.  This strategic planning group will also be looking at structure and scheduling of the Institute.  The motto adopted by this optimistic and enthusiastic (and fun) group is “Go forward until we know better!”  I can’t think of a better testimony to the strength and spirit of the Wyoming Library Leadership Institute.