(via Gwen Gregory, University of Illinois at Chicago)
Elevate is a statewide library initiative to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders. The program is a joint project of Illinois Heartland Library System, the Illinois Library Association, the Illinois State Library, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System. The event will take place at the University of Illinois Springfield on April 28.
Effective leaders play to their strengths. This one-day program is for library staff who want to understand the fundamentals of strengths-based leadership, including gaining insights into their own strengths. Participants will identify a leadership project that they hope to take on in their own library or with the community they serve and receive advice from a mentor as well as from fellow participants. Together, this program will allow participants to learn what their strengths are and how they can apply those strengths to leadership in a real-world project.
Illinois libraries of all sizes and types make a big impact on their unique communities and Elevate should represent this diversity. Future leaders from all types of libraries (academic, public, school, and special) and all parts of Illinois are encouraged to apply. Applicants are not required to hold any specific positions in their library, but should have an interest in developing as a leader. An MLIS is not required.
The registration fee for the program is $75 per participant. This fee covers materials and meals. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses. Participants will have a few hours of mandatory pre-work prior to the one day workshop in order to best utilize our time together.
Applications are due Friday, February 23. Notifications on status of applications will be sent by March 9.
Visit ila.org/elevate to submit your application.