Leadership

Development Institute

The program provides leadership training for the Texas Library Association membership by offering an annual Leadership Development Institute for librarians and laypersons.

Foster leadership capabilities.
Define leadership development activities for TLA members.
Foster cultural diversity in library leadership.

"To have the most respected leaders in the state tell us we can do great things and, in fact, must achieve because we owe it to ourselves as well as the profession, is empowering and helped me to focus on larger issues." - Institute Participants

A list of institute topics may be found here.

The Institute is designed for Texas Library Association members. The participants are mid-career library and information science practitioners (degreed and non-degreed) who are currently employed in the field and have at least five years of experience in a professional level position in library and/or information science. Library laypersons with at least three years of service to the library community are also eligible.

The Institute will be held at Highland Lakes Camp on the shores of Lake Travis, approximately 35 miles west of Austin, June 8-12, 2008. Maureen Sullivan and Jack Siggins will facilitate. Mentors for the Institute include: Melody Kelly (TLA President 2008-09; University of North Texas Libraries, Denton), TLA President Elect 2008-09 Patrick Heath (TLA President Elect 2008-09; Lay advocate and former mayor of Boerne),  Jeanne Martinez (North Side ISD, San Antonio), Ramiro Salazar (San Antonio Public Library), Laurie Thompson (UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas), and Mary Woodard (Mesquite ISD).

The location will offer a setting away from the hectic pace of daily work. The site provides indoor and outdoor meeting areas which offer flexibility and variety for group activities.  There will be various recreational opportunities available to participants, including hiking, nature trails, table and board games, tennis and swimming. Group recreational events will also be planned.

The nature of the surroundings and the central Texas climate in June call for casual and cool attire.

Cost

The cost for instruction, room, board and related planned activities is $650. Transportation costs are not included.

Participants are encouraged to seek funding to defray costs. Many TLA units are making support funds available. Check with your division, and roundtable chairs to see if funds are available. Employing institutions may be willing to fund participants, as well as local Friends Groups, Rotary, and other service clubs. Information on the new June Kahler Berry Scholarship will be announced on this web site soon.

What happens after the Institute?

Participants in the Institute will continue TLA leadership development activities. There will be a 2-year commitment on the part of the participants through each participant's Personal Action Agenda, which will begin at the Institute with the aid of the mentors.

Information on statewide leadership development opportunities will be coordinated by the Leadership Development Program Committee. Additional activities will be organized to provide participant communication and networking throughout the extent of each participant's leadership development program.

"This has been the highlight of my educational career! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for selecting me. You will never know the impact this has had on my life."
"The mentors were terrific. As a group and as people, they were inspired, helped, encouraged, and clarified our thinking and acted as friends."
"An overall excellent experience."
"The Institute gave me the opportunity to zero in on positive ways to improve what I am and to focus on the direction my life is taking."

What else should you know about the Institute?

The Leadership Development Institute is the major activity by which TLA, through its Leadership Development Program, is endeavoring to provide a statewide impetus for expanded leadership education opportunities for all TLA members. With the Leadership Development Institute, the Texas Library Association is providing a high-quality, 5-day, intensive learning experience for the Institute participants. TLA is also keeping participant cost to a minimum by underwriting a substantial amount of the cost for the Institute. The Texas Library Association is providing this level of support as a part of its commitment to its membership and the profession.

"This was wonderfully organized, lots of thoughtful planning and care. Commitment to Texas libraries was evident."  

- A Sponsor of the Institute

 Copyright © 1998, 2006 by the Texas Library Association