Do participants require a Master degree in information or library science?

No, a degree in library or information science is not required. LLEAD is designed to strengthen the leadership and management capacity of libraries and information-intensive organizations in all areas. Ideal participants are those working in team leadership or managerial roles in any department from services, operations, planning, human resources, IT, finance or any functional departments

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I have noticed that you have a research-based curriculum; what is the research?

Dr. Ken Haycock and I (Rebecca) designed the curriculum based on research Ken conducted as Dean of the Masters of Information and Library Science programs at University of British Columbia and at San Jose State University.  Ken was a co-designer and instructor with Ernie Ingles (now sadly deceased) of the renowned Northern Executive Leadership Institute (always referred to as NELI) for the library profession.  We are just updating our research and have had the environmental scan of leadership development programs completed by a masters student at the University of Toronto – so I’m glad you asked! Curriculum needs to be examined and renewed every year. LLEAD’s curriculum is carefully scrutinized and reshaped to reflect current research and is responsive to local, national, and global developments and trends.

 

Are these formal courses? If so, what are they?

The curriculum is based on Mintzberg and Gosling’s Five Managerial Mindsets work.   Like most leadership development programs, the curriculum is not accredited by a post-secondary institution and does not result in a degree or diploma but rather a certificate. Each session requires the students to complete preparation work. They are also required to complete a group case study (conducted virtually) and an individual reflective essay.

 

Here is the curriculum outline for 2021-2022; the 2023 curriculum will be confirmed in November 2022. 

 

What is the structure of the program?

The program is designed to create and nurture the “SAM” learning framework (attached).  Both students and the learning guides (university librarians and public library CEO’s) sign and adhere to confidentiality agreements to ensure a safe learning environment.

 

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The agenda for the 2021-2022 Intensive:

Two learning guides reflect on their careers and lives every evening, framed by the Five Managerial Mindsets. In addition, the students work together throughout the Intensive on case studies based on actual situations experienced by public and post-secondary libraries.

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Sunday:        Beginning to understand your worldview through self-location (an Indigenous approach to understanding how we perceive issues and ourselves)

Monday:      Managing yourself: understanding your perceptions, behaviours and actions and their impact on others; establishing and working within your values

Tuesday:       Managing relationships and Managing within the worldly context

Wednesday: Managing relationships: Crucial conversations

Thursday:     Integrating the Mindsets: Project management        

Friday:          Case study presentations; re-entry to work; commitment to Development Plan.

(We finish at noon so that those flying to other provinces can get home for Friday evening)

 

Virtual Sessions: A Typical Agenda

1. Creating our virtual learning environment for the day (based on Priya Parker’s work)

2. Check-in on how people applied the learnings of the previous session (this may have been establishing boundaries, having a crucial conversation, etc.)

3. Lecture and discussions (both small group and large group) of the session’s main topic (this may be Talent Management and Labour Relations, Influencing Stakeholders, etc.)

4. Wise Counsel for 4 or 5 students; this is a decision-making or problem-solving methodology adapted from Liberating Structures

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Do students from other provinces need to travel to BC for the in-person Six-day Residential?

Yes, the Intensive is for everyone and the fee for accommodations and food is covered in the tuition – students pay for their transportation (and we help with carpooling from the airport).  The Loon Lake Centre is ideal with its teaching facilities, comfortable accommodations, nature surroundings and fantastic food!  In 2022 we have students from Ontario (from Toronto Public Library and from the Ontario Library Association), Saskatoon Public Library, Grande Prairie Public Library (ALTA) and Edmonton Public Library.  

 

What are examples of past projects that have been undertaken by your participants?

These are just a few of the 80 projects undertaken during the four LLEAD Institutes (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)

• Updated, virtual training and development site for a large CULC/CBUC public library that provides a consistent approach throughout the system for onboarding new employees through to leadership development options

• Comprehensive needs assessment for an additional library branch including: potential locations, and service delivery model, and communication plan for council and city staff, etc.

• Proposal for the creation of a new division at a Canadian research university library that will integrate research data management, digital publishing, data services, digital repositories, and preservation

• Report on and recommendations for a public library regarding its integrated library system (ILS) – replace or continue?