LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2022

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

Library leaders are constantly managing teams of trustees, staff, volunteers 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 in 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 and cover everything from leadership fundamentals to successfully managing the politics inherent in every library position.

The 2022 Leadership Academy will be presented in a hybrid format, with some sessions held virtually. 

Register

Program at a Glance 

April 28-29, 2022 - Lansing

• Communication and DiSC Assessment
• Managing Change
• Managing Conflict

May 5, 2022 - Online 

• Emotional Intelligence

June 16, 2022 - Ann Arbor 

• Developing influential Leadership
• Coaching

July 19, 2022- Online

• Library Finance

August 11, 2022 - Grand Rapids

• Human Resources
• Advocacy and Legislation
• Law and Legal Issues

September 12, 2022 - Online

• Working with Boards and Unions

October 18-19, 2021 - Port Huron

• Time and Stress Management 
• Teamwork
• Influential Leadership

Registration Information

Early Bird Registration Deadline: February 25, 2022

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 2022 MLA Leadership Academy program. No refunds will be given for uncompleted programs and sessions are not available on an a la carte basis.

COVID-19 Policy

Based on the recommendations from the CDC regarding small and large gatherings, and with our guests' safety in mind, we strongly recommend that you be fully vaccinated to attend. At this time, we also recommend that masks be worn in all indoor spaces for the safety of all attendees. These recommendations are subject to change based on recommendations in place at the time of the event. MLA will alert you of any changes to this policy.

If any government orders restrict us from gathering we will reassess the event dates and reimbursements at that time. If you have a positive COVID-19 test or exposure within 14 days of the event you are expected to alert MLA staff and are entitled to a refund.

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.

Session Details

April 28-29, 2022 - Lansing

9:00am - 4:00 PM 
Courtyard Lansing Downtown Hotel 
600 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
Included: breakfast and lunch each day, dinner, special events, parking, and overnight accommodations on April 28.

Communication and DiSC Assessment

Great leaders communicate clearly and effectively with all people in a variety of situations. Participants will take a communication assessment and learn new strategies for creating and building positive relationships and communicating more effectively.   

This highly interactive session helps participants explore the dimensions of managing to the next level for themselves and others. This program will provide you with a strong foundation of tools and skills to help you understand yourself and your team and how to work more effectively in your crucial capacity as a role model. This program will also include skill practice and experiential activities and hands-on learning opportunities. 

Managing Change

The legacy of uncertainty and change that we have experienced in the last two years will continue into the foreseeable future. More than ever, leaders need to be equipped with the right framework to deal with unprecedented challenges & circumstances. Effective change management takes a solid communication plan, learning opportunities, and reinforcement.

Managing Conflict

You might be tempted to steer clear of workplace drama and let employees work things out on their own, this kind of hands-off approach can backfire. Explore better strategies to resolve disputes while taking a deeper look at the role conflict plays in the workplace, the signs to recognize conflict and strategies for getting the team back on track.

Special Events

To be Announced

June 16, 2022 - Ann Arbor 

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location To Be Announced
Included: breakfast and lunch, parking if applicable

Developing influential Leadership

Great leaders communicate clearly and effectively with all people in a variety of situations. Participants will take a communication assessment and learn new strategies for creating and building positive relationships and communicating more effectively.   

This highly interactive session helps participants explore the dimensions of managing to the next level for themselves and others. This program will provide you with a strong foundation of tools and skills to help you understand yourself and your team and how to work more effectively in your crucial capacity as a role model. This program will also include skill practice and experiential activities and hands-on learning opportunities.

Coaching

Having successful coaching conversations with others defines your leadership ability and success in influencing. The focus is on effectively listening to what others are really saying, asking the right questions without judgment and probing for clarity to get others to become open-minded and view options with clarity. Use encouragement and development feedback to reinforce and guide successful performance to improve individual and your department’s morale, motivation and productivity. Through discussion and case studies you will map an action plan to help develop your leadership skills

August 11, 2022 - Grand Rapids

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 
Location To Be Announced
Included: breakfast and lunch each day, parking if applicable

Human Resources

Human resource administration is vital to the success of every library and every employee. This session will give you a solid overview and understanding of essential HR functions. Topics include legal responsibilities, talent acquisition, coaching and development, and difficult conversations.

Advocacy and Legislation

Understanding basic advocacy and how to and when to contact your elected officials is critical in promoting your library. Being effective in this kind of politics can often mean the difference between success and failure. Learn firsthand what is happening in Lansing and how you can make a difference.

Law and Legal Issues

Like any public entity, public libraries have multiple legal considerations. But toss in the additional constitutional and establishment issues, and you have a unique legal environment. Participants will learn some common legal issues that occur in libraries and how it can be applied to their unique situations. 

October 18-19, 2021 - Port Huron

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Blue Water Convention Center 
800 Harker St, Port Huron, MI 48060 
Included: welcome breakfast, lunch each day, graduation breakfast, parking, and overnight accommodations on October 18.

Time and Stress Management 

Tips and techniques will be shared for how to effectively cope and manage emotions so that you can make the best out of each and every day

Teamwork

Together Everyone Accomplishes More! Strengthen your teamwork and optimize productivity throughout your library. When employees are engaged they are more committed. In this session, you will learn how to work together cohesively. You will explore how to motivate, engage and retain employees.

Influential Leadership

Leadership and management serve very different functions. The role of a leader is more than just assigning duties. Leaders create a vision and think long-term. They also know when to take risks. Another key factor involves building relationships and taking responsibility for developing their team by assessing talent and coaching. Through discussion and case studies, you will map an action plan to further develop your leadership skills.

Special Events

Leadership Breakfast 

Online Sessions - Zoom

10:00 - 11:00 AM

May 5, 2022 - Emotional Intelligence

The ability to express and control our own emotions is important, but so is our ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others. Imagine a world where you couldn’t understand when a friend was feeling sad or when a co-worker was angry. Psychologists refer to this ability as emotional intelligence and some experts even suggest that it can be more important than IQ. Learn more about exactly what emotional intelligence is, how it works and how it is measured.

July 19, 2022 - Library Finance

Comprehensive budgeting, sound financial management, and reporting are cornerstones of a healthy bottom line. Responsible and transparent fiscal management means knowing how to develop a budget but also how to manage and update it. With this session, you will increase your financial awareness from the professionals and receive feedback from a library professional on implementing these tools in the real world.

September 12, 2022 - Working with Boards

Research shows that high-performing boards require a staff who can effectively support a strategic board. The session of Leadership Academy will cover effective agenda planning, time and meeting management, tips on keeping the board focused on the agenda, and effective facilitation tips.