WLA Leadership Institute is for YOU!

For those who may in the past have considered attending WLA's three day intensive LDI leadership training in Madison but found it's time commitment away from the library prohibitive, the WLA newsletter shared some excellent news. Kudos to the LDI Planning committee on re-imagining this training in a way that makes it more accessible for more people to engage in.

We hope youth librarians in particular will apply to part of this year's cohort!

2023 WLA Leadership Development Institute to Launch in April  WLA News | Winter 2022-23 

The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) aims to develop goal-oriented and agile library leaders who are creative problem solvers able to navigate uncertainty, rapidly changing technology, and shrinking resources. WLA helps members develop these skills by offering a range of volunteer, networking, and mentoring opportunities, and formally through training opportunities like the Leadership Development Institute - LDI. 

The 2023 Leadership Development Institute is a highly immersive training program designed specifically for our profession. Based on several overarching leadership competencies, participants will interact in cohort groups throughout the six-month program. Each module includes the introduction of problem-solving skills and real-life applications. Instructors represent a wide range of disciplines both within the library community as well as outside of our profession. 

Based on feedback from past Institute participants and our current membership and including recommendations from UW-Madison Extension instructors, the 2023 LDI program curriculum has been refreshed with updated content and a new format designed to make the program more inclusive. We strive to have a mix of emerging and experienced leaders representing a variety of roles and library types participate in the program. 

Who is encouraged to apply? 

• People from various departments in library organizations, including: youth services, outreach, adult services, marketing, technical services, etc. 

• People across the organizational hierarchy: frontline staff, administration, directors, emerging and incumbent leaders, etc. 

• People from all backgrounds and identities, including those who identify as BIPOC, neurodivergent, disabled, or LGBTQ+.  

LDI 2023 will kick off as a one-day, in-person pre-conference workshop at WAPL on April 26 and wrap up in person at the WLA Fall Conference on October 24. Participants will also attend 10 virtual modules May through September. The program application will be available in mid to late January.

LDI Planning Committee: Sherry Machones, Chair, Northern Waters Library Service; Mark Jochem, South Central Library System; Meredith Lowe, UW-Madison iSchoo;l Ashley McHose, Lakeshore Technical College; Laura Sauser, Wisconsin Library Association; Jeni Schomber, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction