As higher education continues to undergo profound structural, technological, and demographic change, the role of the academic library on campus has never been more critical. More than a repository or service point, the library is increasingly recognized as an innovative, strategic partner, capable of advancing institutional priorities in student success, academic innovation, and organizational resilience. In this context, developing the next generation of library leaders is not only timely, it’s imperative.

To support this evolution, we’re pleased to announce, in collaboration with the Chronicle of Higher Education, the 2025 All-Access Leadership Program, a dynamic two-week experience designed for prospective and current library leaders. This program is structured to offer both high-level insight into emerging trends and practical frameworks for organizational transformation, all within the context of academic librarianship.

The All-Access program combines two distinct modes of engagement: seminars, which are structured to surface key ideas from the broader higher education landscape, and interactive workshops, which focus on applied leadership skills, peer learning, and practical tools for navigating complexity while giving participants an opportunity to connect with peers

Week One: Strategic Seminars for Library Leadership

The first week features four live, 60-minute webinars, each spotlighting a critical dimension of higher education strategy and its implications for libraries. These sessions will be recorded and distributed to all registrants.

July 14, 1 p.m. ET | National Trends in Higher Education (Cappy Hill and Martin Kurzweil, Ithaka S+R)
A wide-lens overview of demographic, economic, and policy forces shaping the postsecondary sector, with particular attention to where libraries can anticipate—and influence—what comes next.

July 15, 1 p.m. ET | Understanding the Higher-Ed Business Model (Robert Kelchin, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville)
A deep dive into how institutions generate and allocate resources and what librarians need to understand about tuition flows, auxiliary revenues, enrollment pressures, and strategic positioning.

July 16, 1 p.m. ET | Academic Libraries and Artificial Intelligence (Leo Lo, University at New Mexico)
An exploration of the accelerating intersection between libraries and generative AI. What risks and opportunities lie ahead for information literacy, metadata, discovery, and labor?

July 17, 1 p.m. ET | The Library Leading Through Innovation (Amy Kautzman, California State University Sacramento)
A case-based look at how library leaders are advancing innovation in scholarly communication, teaching and learning, and operational strategy.

Week Two: Workshops on Applied Leadership

In the second week, participants will engage in small-group workshops, each lasting two and a half hours. These are designed for hands-on learning, dialogue, and scenario-based planning. To foster meaningful exchange, these sessions will not be recorded.

July 21 or 22 | Change Management (Alicia Salaz, University of Oregon)
Organizational transformation is often framed as a technical process, but in practice it is deeply human. This session will offer participants proven tools for managing resistance, building momentum, and sustaining alignment over time.

July 23 | Active Collection Management for Contemporary Libraries (Jessica Morales, University of Arkansas)
As collection development evolves from passive acquisition to strategic curation, this workshop will explore frameworks for aligning collections with institutional mission, user needs, and digital-first workflows.

July 24 | The Library’s Role in Student Learning (Cynthia Tysik, University at Buffalo)
Focusing on the academic library’s contribution to student success, this workshop surfaces practices that connect library services to learning outcomes, equity strategies, and student engagement initiatives.

The 2025 All-Access Leadership Program is more than a professional development opportunity, it’s a strategic investment in the future of academic librarianship. By fostering a shared understanding of higher education’s complexity and the library’s evolving role within it, we hope to empower leaders who can steward their institutions through change with clarity, creativity, and care.

We invite you to join us!