What You Will Learn

The Institute details important leadership concepts and applies them to the practical challenges of leading and managing the academic library. The curriculum addresses three areas—planning, organizational strategy and change, and transformational learning—with an overarching goal of increasing your leadership and management capacity.

Program Overview

The institutional environment confronting leaders of academic libraries has never been more complex and challenging. Demands for new services and capabilities frequently outstrip available resources. Technology has become a key factor in almost every important decision. Library leaders must provide articulate, sound leadership and find more effective ways to integrate their priorities into campus-wide planning efforts.

The Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians provides the tools and insight needed to improve your leadership effectiveness and help your library respond to a rapidly shifting landscape. It is designed for those who must think strategically about emerging student and faculty needs, changing expectations of library staff, new technologies and long-range plans for the library. The curriculum will deepen your insights and broaden your repertoire of useful approaches to leadership. It will also provide a valuable opportunity for participants to assess their own leadership strengths and weaknesses in a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Program Objectives

The program focuses on two key questions:

• How well positioned is your organization to meet current and future challenges?
• How effective is your own leadership? 

Who Should Attend

• College and university librarians with leadership and/or management responsibilities
• Library deans and directors, along with those reporting to them in positions like associate university librarian or assistant library dean
• Other campus administrators with responsibilities that routinely affect important library-related functions will also benefit from the program

Faculty Chair

Joseph Zolner is Lecturer on Education and Senior Director of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education at HGSE. As HIHE Director, he is responsible for the quality, relevance and variety of professional development programs offered by HGSE for the higher education community. Previously, Zolner served as Director of the Graduate Management Institute at Union College, NY and Director of the Graduate School of Business Administration at Northeastern University, MA.

Additional faculty to be announced

Enrollment Instructions

The Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians is limited to those with significant leadership and/or administrative responsibility at a college university library, and who show high promise for making a significant contribution in the future.

Applications from library directors, university librarians, and their associates and direct reports will be considered on a rolling basis. Since this institute fills quickly, early application is recommended.

Fees

The comprehensive program fee includes tuition, all instructional materials, lunches and special events. Participants receive a certificate of participation at the close of the program. 

Payment or a purchase order must be received within 30 days of acceptance. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses.

Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are made available to participants at a reduced rate. Detailed program information and accommodation options will be provided to all admitted participants. The Harvard Graduate School of Education is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred. We recommend that you not make lodging and travel arrangements until you are admitted to the program.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted via fax or email. Full refunds will be given up to 30 days prior to the start of the program. Due to program demand and pre-program preparations, cancellations received 29–14 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of 10% of the program tuition. Cancellations received within 13 days prior to the start of the program and no-shows are subject to the full program tuition. Please note: cancellation fees are based upon the date the written request is received.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. In the unlikely event of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Harvard Graduate School of Education affirms the right of all individuals to equal treatment in education without regard to age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, handicap, national origin, or any other factors that are extraneous to effective performance. The Harvard Graduate School of Education will accommodate anyone with disabilities.