The Leadership Fellows Program provides exceptional opportunities for growth in research library and archives leadership; enriching exposure to innovative and successful leaders in libraries, public policy, scholarship, research, and higher education; and an extraordinary community of supportive fellows that extends far beyond the program. Embracing ARL’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of leadership, the Leadership Fellows Program will equip fellows to better meet the call to action for systemic change across research libraries and archives.
Each cohort is guided through a multi-faceted curriculum designed to strengthen leadership foundations and enhance leadership skills:
- Self-assessments and career coaching: Each fellow will complete self-assessments, coupled with career coaching sessions to help fellows understand their individual strengths and challenges as emerging leaders.
- Monthly virtual sessions focused on different aspects of leadership in complex organizations: monthly learning sessions on topics such as values-driven leadership; leading for diversity, equity, and inclusion; strategically managing budgets and other institution assets; fundraising; navigating internal organizational politics; and more.
- Guided individual learning: Monthly readings, videos, and other exercises related to the monthly session theme.
- Peer mentoring: A leadership experience for small (four-person) cohort teams, structured around social learning theory that spans the entire length of the program.
- Individualized sponsor career support: Each fellow will be connected to a research library executive leader with the goal of forming a sponsorship relationship.
- Site visits: Two multi-day visits to distinguished host site institutions include enriching engagement with institution leaders, special events, and tours.
- Learning Summit: Fellows will attend two in-person learning summits at the commencement and towards the experience.
- Meeting attendance: If possible, fellows will attend at least one ARL Association Meeting and two CNI Membership Meetings, and participate in planned sessions for the cohort at each meeting.
Fellows will have many opportunities to guide and shape the learning experience of the cohort through their suggestions and feedback. Monthly evaluations of their experience by fellows will ensure continuous feedback and adjustments as the year progresses.
