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.

TALL Texans Class of 2009

Jennifer Anderson, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
Sue Bennett, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin
Jennifer Anderson, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
Sue Bennett, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin
Kaye Bray, School of Library & Information Studies, Texas Woman's University, Denton
Becky Calzada, Cypress Elementary School, Cedar Park
Susan Chandler, Sterling Municipal Library, Baytown
Lynne Craddock, Martin Luther King Jr. Branch, Dallas Public Library
Carmen Escamilla, John B. Alexander High School, Laredo
David Fettke, Humanities Division, Dallas Public Library
Cara Fong, Nimitz High School, Houston
Stephanie Fulton, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
WyLaina Hildreth, Denton Public Library
Gail Johnston, Texas A&M University, Commerce
Karen Kessel, Science Hall Elementary School, Kyle
April Kessler, University of Texas at Austin
Becky Lee, Valley Oaks Elementary School, Houston
John Maxstadt, Texas A&M International University, Laredo
Denise Milton, Jasper Public Library
Marci Peschke, Kramer Elementary School, Dallas
Pat Peters, Lewisville Public Library
Kelly Skovbjerg, Boerne Public Library
Jennifer Smith, Legacy Middle School, San Antonio
Sara Tebes, Irving Public Library
Jennifer Turney, Angleton High School
Loren Zawodny, R. B. Tullis Branch, Montgomery County Memorial Library System

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 June 14-18, 2009 at Montserrat Retreat Center, 600 North Shady Shores Drive, Lake Dallas. Please note that this is a NEW date for the Institute, which had to be changed from the original dates of June 7-11. Montserrat is also a new location , as the program has previously been held in the Hill Country. As before, though, the facility will offer a setting away from the hectic pace of daily work with both indoor and outdoor meeting areas to offer flexibility and variety for group activities. The nature of the surroundings and the June climate call for casual and cool attire.

Maureen Sullivan and Jack Siggins are scheduled to facilitate. Mentors for the Institute include:  Patrick Heath (TLA President 2009-2010, Boerne), TLA President Elect for 2009-2010 (school librarian to be elected in early 2009), Brett Kirkpatrick (University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston), Tracey Mendoza (Northeast Lakeview College, San Antonio), Becky Sullivan (Riter C. Hulsey Public Library, Terrell),  and Robert Watkins (Amigos Library Services, Dallas).

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 Fund is available here.

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