What does it take to lead a library today? In our research on leadership challenges, library deans and directors describe navigating a wide range of demands within both their campus environments and the broader higher education landscape, including continued shifts toward service-oriented models and growing urgency to respond to the impact AI is having on teaching, learning, and research.

To address these challenges, Ithaka S+R and the Chronicle of Higher Education are pleased to offer an innovative professional development program tailored to the needs of prospective and current library leaders. The Library and Institutional Success will run virtually from July 13-23 and offer a variety of seminars and workshops designed to empower participants to develop their leadership skills and drive institutional success.

During the first week of the program, participants will attend seminars focusing on national trends in higher education, college and university business models, using storytelling as an advocacy tool, and will explore new data from Ithaka S+R’s triennial library directors survey.

In the second week, participants will be divided into smaller, topic-based workshops that allow them to interact with peers from other colleges and universities while creating personalized action plans. Participants can choose from among the following workshops or attend all three:

  • Change Management for Libraries (led by Alicia Salaz, MLIS & EdD, University of Oregon)
  • AI as Implemented in Academic Libraries (led by Rosalyn Metz, MLIS, Emory University)
  • Open Education in Teaching & Learning: Libraries Leading the Way (led by Chelsee Dickson, MLIS & EdD, Kennesaw State University)

This program aims to provide valuable insights and strategies to align the library to the mission of the broader institution. For more details and to register, please visit the Chronicle’s site. We hope you will join us in July.