Category: Leadership Development Committee

The group met 2-3 times this reporting period.

After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:

Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The primary objective of the Leadership Development Committee this year was to host a conversation about leadership at the PLA Member Lounge during the Public Library Association Conference. This goal is in direct alignment with the PLA Strategic Plan goal of Professional Growth.

Megan Klein-Hewett and Kevin King facilitated two concurrent group conversations in the Member Lounge attracting about 40 people in total. The conversations were casual and primarily led by attendees and feedback was generally highly positive. Two attendees reported that it was their favorite conference session, and two others shared that they learned how much expertise they bring and would consider applying to present next conference cycle.

In reviewing the topics that rose to the top at this event, the Leadership Development Committee expressed interest in presenting a series of virtual conversations about career satisfaction.

Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
While Professional Growth will always have close alignment with the Leadership Development Committee, there are strong aspects of the goal of Transformation that also align with the committee. The need to evolve library staff training and expectations for career satisfaction align closely with the committee's interest in hosting discussions on that topic in FY27.

What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
While no projects are solidly in-progress, there are a number of potential projects the committee expressed interest in:
-Webinar. Hosting webinars on the topics that rose to the top in conversation at PLA. Specific topics included career transitions/advancement, and career satisfaction.
-Mentorship. Idea for a preconference or long session at PLA for training of mentors/mentees and how to connect.
-ALA virtual session idea. Host a session on career satisfaction that could consist of 3-5 panelists and then 3-5 breakout rooms on different aspects of the topic.

What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)

Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
The PLA Membership Advisory Group has always been a strong ally for this committee.

Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?

Submitted by Megan Klein-Hewett on 06/18/2026

The group met 1 time this reporting period.

After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:

Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The committee developed two educational activities. The first was a "Membership Monday: Becoming a PLA Leader." This webinar occurred on Monday, June 2.

A second education activity will happen in the Career Center at the ALA Conference. On Sunday, June 29, I will present a session titled Interview Prep Made Easy.

Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
I feel this committee did not meet often enough or have enough participation to really be productive this year.

It might help to get more orientation on the Strategic Goals.

What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
No work is carrying over from this committee. I feel that to make it more productive the meeting schedule should be set early on to ensure it gets on members' calendars.

What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)

Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
Not aware of any at this time.

Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
I am disappointed we didn't get more done and that participation at meetings was low. I wasn't able to give this as much time as I expected. However, I do enjoy being on PLA Committees, so I hope to participate again in the future.

Submitted by Douglas Crane on 06/11/2025

The group met 2-3 times this reporting period.

After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:

Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The Leadership Development Committee hosted the final two Stronger Together series of conversations in January with a total attendance of 90.

By hosting the sessions, our committee has had the opportunity to interact with other committees and board members, as well as the membership. Additionally, the topics selected for the series were done so to specifically align with the PLA strategic goals.

Additionally, during the PLA annual conference Leadership Development committee members led two, one-hour discussion sessions in the Member Lounge.

Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
Not at this time.

What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
No.

What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)

Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
None that come to mind.

Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
Thank you for the opportunity to volunteer with PLA. It has been a very enjoyable experience.

Submitted by Megan Maurer on 06/03/2024

The group met 4-6 times this reporting period.

After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:

Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The work of the PLA Leadership Development Committee focuses on the strategic goal to offer inclusive pipelines and pathways for the professional growth of all library workers. Our work to support this goal is consistently centered around EDISJ outcomes, notably ensuring that activities proactively invite participation and provide benefit to library workers from historically marginalized identities.

The Committee has focused on three initiatives so far this year:

1. The Committee is coordinating an article for the August leadership-themed issue of Public Libraries magazine, in which a diverse group of library leaders at different stages of their careers will share lessons learned and strategies for resilience during challenging times.

2. The Committee has developed and organized a series of 8-10 facilitated member conversations called "Stronger Together: Creating Space for Mutual Support. " The conversations will provide time and space to refresh, energize, practice self-care, and feel seen and supported by professional colleagues. Very little content will be shared other than an introduction to the topic for each session – the time is for participants to share, connect, and support each other. Participants will hold
discussions in groups of 8-12 individuals, with options to talk with members from other small/medium/large public libraries, and each small group will be facilitated by current or former PLA Leadership Development Committee members. Topics include:

*Purposeful service – maintaining your motivation – for front line workers
*Purposeful service – maintaining your motivation – for supervisors, managers, and administrators
*Working through intellectual freedom challenges
*Navigating community engagement

The team had also planned conversations on the topic of challenges faced by staff with historically marginalized identities. Based on some initial feedback, we are looking at ways to create space for staff with historically marginalized identities to have dedicated opportunities within the other conversations, rather than providing separate conversations.

3. The Committee will also facilitate a series of workshops/conversations to be held as part of the career center at the PLA Conference in 2024 in Columbus. Details are still being developed.

Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
The Committee has been very intentional about aligning our work with the strategic goals, so current alignment is strong.

What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
Incoming members should know that they are stepping into a committee with a fair amount of work already in progress, but also that their ideas for additional initiatives are welcomed and encouraged. The work of this committee doesn't necessarily fit neatly into one year at a time, so we will continue to plan for the future as we implement present initiatives.

None of the three current initiatives described above will be completely wrapped up before the new committee year (although the PL article will be close). Stronger Together and the career center workshops still have lots of planning to be done!

What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)

Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
The Committee may connect with the PLA EDISJ Committee as well as NALCO associations to ensure that the goals and outcomes of the Stronger Together conversations are meaningful and relevant for PLA members of color.

Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
It's been an absolute honor to serve in this role and I look forward to seeing the results of our work over the year ahead!

Submitted by Derek Wolfgram on 05/23/2023