The Nebraska Library Leadership Institutes

Ben Brick

As many are aware, the Regional Library Systems with funding by the Nebraska Library Commission have sponsored three Nebraska Library Leadership Institutes to date. They are held biennially during the summer at the St. Benedict Center in Schuyler. The next Institute is scheduled to take place July 9-13, 2007. The Institutes are led by Becky Schreiber and John Shannon, consultants who train leaders nationwide on how to deal effectively with change and who are committed to developing leaders in libraries. In addition to the participants, a number of mentors are present as well to assist in the facilitation of the Institute sessions. These mentors are chosen from among the more experienced library leaders in the state. While it is impossible to describe all that goes on at these Leadership Institutes, some of those who have participated in them describe the experience as “intensive,” “engaging,” “renewing” and incredibly motivating. Others remarked on how they were “awestruck” or “inspired” by the process. One individual commented that “it wasn't a fun week” because of the heavy soul-searching involved during some of the Institute sessions. However, the Leadership Institutes also involved a healthy dose of fun and many new friendships were formed as well as professional relationships established across our state.

The Regional Library Systems and the libraries that have sent their personnel to these Institutes have invested a great amount of time, energy and money into these Leadership Institutes. To date, 86 individuals from all parts of the state have attended and benefifited from this investment. With every Institute, this number will continue to grow and with it, the quality of professionalism in libraries will increase throughout Nebraska . In an attempt to measure this growth in the quality of library professionals, this author purposed to gather some proofs that the investment made by Nebraska libraries into its leaders is beginning to see some results. Leadership Institute participants and mentors received a survey containing six questions.

The questions were:

  • Can you describe for me the Leadership Institute's impact upon you personally and/or professionally?
  • Since attending the Institute, have you experienced any professional advancement or personal growth?
  • Can you provide examples of how the tools developed at the Institute have impacted your service at your library? Have you passed these tools on to others at your library?
  • Do you recognize any trends or changes visible as a result of the Leadership Institutes in your local library and community? How about regionally or statewide?
  • Have you benefifited from the Institute reunions?
  • What do you see as the future of the Leadership Institutes?

Twelve Institute participants answered the survey, as did three of the mentors. Taking some outside examples along with this nearly 14% survey response, a small picture of how the Leadership Institutes have impacted the state of Nebraska can be drawn.

To begin, a major impression was made upon the Nebraska Library Commission itself that resulted in the adoption of a vision statement crafted at the 2nd Nebraska Library Leadership Institute in 2003 as its own. This vision for Nebraska libraries captured the essence of what libraries are about and what they want to be in the state. One of the activities of each Leadership Institute is to create a vision statement. That the Commission chose to adopt one of these statements as its own is a testament to the power of these Institutes to develop leaders and to influence the future direction for libraries in Nebraska . While this may be the most visible impact upon the state as a whole, there are other, less visible effects that may have a greater overall inflfluence upon this profession in Nebraska .

The changes in personal behavior and advances in professional development among those participants of the Leadership Institutes will likely be the lasting effect that will make the most difference. For example, all 15 respondents to the survey indicated that they have used one or more of the tools learned at the Institutes in their jobs. The techniques for dealing with change and making solid decisions as well as other valuable organizational methods are being used across the state by a growing number of library professionals. This translates to an increase in the organizational effciency of our libraries and success in serving our communities. In addition, eight out of the 15 respondents have experienced some sort of professional advancement since attending the Leadership Institute. These individuals, trained in being leaders, are beginning to fifill key leadership positions in Nebraska . As each year passes, more Institute leaders will be leading the libraries of Nebraska to be the kind of libraries described in the Nebraska Library Commission's vision statement.

There has also been an increase in the amount of involvement by Leadership Institute participants in professional organizations such as the Nebraska Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association. By serving on committees and round tables and by presenting at conferences, these individuals are putting their talents to work for the libraries of Nebraska . They are also taking advantage of educational opportunities in Nebraska . Several participants are now pursuing library science degrees from schools such as the University of Missouri-Columbia , which offers its distance education program here in Nebraska .

All of these results have inflfluenced the trends in Nebraska libraries as perceived by the Leadership Institute graduates. In response to the question regarding library trends, six recognized greater participation in library organizations and increased cooperation between libraries. Four answered that they have implemented changes to improve the attitude and atmosphere of their work environments. This particular trend will help shape the future of professional retention and draw new librarians into the profession. Three attributed the increase in library educational pursuits being partially due to the Leadership Institutes. Finally, two respondents indicated that there is a growing number of new leaders in the state, at all levels and in every type of library. These observations are encouraging and point to the value of training new leaders in the state with efforts like the Leadership Institutes.

Yet these advances do not come without a price. Jim Shaw, librarian at UNO's university library, observed, “The major challenge…in Nebraska is that most, if not all libraries, run very lean in terms of sta ff and resources relative to the needs of their communities. There are real tradeoffs in building leadership roles for librarians when keeping the doors open each day consumes much of the available energy.” Attendance and participation in conferences, seminars and institutes takes time and money, and draws staffff away from service desks. It has taken genuine sacrifices by the libraries of Nebraska to enhance the skills of those persons sent to the Leadership Institutes. This illustrates the level of commitment to professional betterment that the libraries and librarians in our state have.

So what does the future hold? The Leadership Institutes will continue for the foreseeable future and more librarians will hone their leadership traits there. This will further the trends noted previously. But is there a next step? Once the Institute-trained librarians reach a critical mass in the state, what then? This author does not know. Shaw noted that “the question remains if our libraries will allow for leadership qualities to develop and stay here in Nebraska . Will we make room for librarians to lead here, or will they have to seek such opportunities elsewhere?” It would seem that the challenge as Shaw sees it will help determine if there will be further steps in the process of developing library leadership in the state.

Our Vision for Nebraska Library Leaders

Nebraska Library Leadership Institute 2003

To reinforce that Nebraska libraries are the credible fifirst choice for information...

We cultivate knowledgeable, courteous, and passionate staff. We provide individual and collective professional growth opportunities to encourage staffff to challenge themselves and each other.

We are the vital and central hubs of our communities. We foster partnerships that commit us to civic involvement.

We build collaborative relationships with businesses, organizations, and each other to complement our respective strengths. We seek out creative avenues of funding through these relationships.

We provide innovative, inviting, and exciting environments and resources, both physical and digital, while exploring further cost efficiency.

We facilitate lifelong learning so that curious minds will fifind fulfifillment. We serve all patrons fairly and equally without judgment. We celebrate the diversity of our patrons and their individual information needs. Our customers drive everything we do.