LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2026

Are you looking for the skills that will take you to that next level of leadership?

Library leaders are constantly managing teams of staff, volunteers, trustees, and others. It takes dedicated leadership to turn these groups into one cohesive team striving for a single vision. The Michigan Library Association’s Leadership Academy has a strong history of providing leadership training to librarians across the state and offers the kind of information you wish you could have learned library school. In the process, you will develop a cohort of colleagues from across the state to call on for support and inspiration as you navigate your way throughout your career. A variety of topics are presented over five in-person days and three Zoom meetings, and cover everything from leadership fundamentals to successfully managing the politics inherent in every library position.

Join the 2026 Leadership Academy cohort to expand your knowledge base on leadership skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, managing change, teamwork, and coaching. Understand your strengths and weaknesses as a leader, as well as more library specific information about finance, legislation and advocacy, media, and working effectively with a board of directors.

The 2026 cohort will begin in April and conclude at the 2026 MLA Annual Conference. Registration includes meals during in-person meetings as well as hotel accommodations.

Tuition Rates

Registration Rate	Early Bird – Before March 15, 2026	Standard – Beginning March 15, 2026
MLA Individual Member	$1,445	$1,545
Non-Member	$2,890	$3,090

Member pricing is dependent upon affiliated or unaffiliated individual membership status. Organizational membership is not applicable. In order to receive the discounted member price, individual membership must be current at the time of registration and maintained throughout the entire 2026 MLA Leadership Academy program. No refunds will be given for uncompleted programs and sessions are not available on an a la carte basis.

Event Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations for MLA in-person and hybrid events (including the annual conference, if virtual) must be received in writing by e-mail no later than ten (10) business days prior to the program start date in order to qualify for a refund. or a program with multiple meetings the start date is defined as the first meeting. No refunds for cancellations will be issued for subsequent meetings after that date. Within ten (10) business days of the event, no refund will be issued. Registrations received within ten (10) days of the program are not eligible for a refund. No-shows will be invoiced.

A $150.00 processing fee will be applied to refunds for this event.

If an MLA professional development workshop, conference, webinar, or other training session is cancelled due to low registration or inclement weather, participants will be notified and fees, if applicable, will be refunded.

Consent

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, MLA meetings or other activities constitutes an agreement by the registration to the use and distribution of the registrants or attendees' image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions of such events and activities by MLA. Please contact MLA at [email protected] if you'd like to be removed from any list.

Code of Conduct

Download the complete Code of Conduct (pdf)

MLA’s vision is to be a highly effective, trusted network of libraries, library employees, trustees, friends and supporters working together to support and promote the highest quality library services throughout Michigan. To fulfill our vision, MLA has built, and is dedicated to maintaining, an inclusive and equitable community where all people can come together to advance our shared vision.

MLA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants and MLA staff. Each participant, including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and service providers, is expected to understand and follow MLA policies and report any violations. These expectations apply to all MLA activities (whether virtual or in-person), including but not limited to those held in conjunction with conferences, events, and meetings.Any conduct that is prohibited in-person is also prohibited online, including but not limited to on MLA social media pages and other online platforms.

Health and Safety Guidelines

We ask you to be courteous and conscientious of others while meeting in-person at the event, especially when it comes to health and safety.

Common Allergens

MLA will make every effort to ensure that provided meals are free of any declared allergens. Please ensure you have alerted MLA staff to any allergies you may have. If you have emergency medications, such as an EpiPen, please carry it with you during the conference.

Although we always aim to work with you to provide a safe and comfortable conference, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free event or prevent others from bringing potential allergens to the event. Conference attendees and exhibitors are asked to refrain from bringing, distributing, and consuming products containing peanuts and other nuts at the conference.