Leadership in Small and Rural Libraries

What do you need to not just work in a small/rural library but actually thrive? This course is for those who are solo librarians or work in small communities. You do it all, not just in the library but also in the community! This course will focus on identifying and using your strengths, values, and key leadership techniques in order to apply them for your own growth, for the library, and for the community.

Course Description:

Delve into leadership in this course, distinguishing leading from managing and coaching. Then, identify your leadership style regardless of the position you hold in your library. Learners will consider strengths and values they can bring to leading themselves, leading others, leading within the library, and within the communities they serve. Through reading, applied activities, and live sessions, participants will delve into the research and skills to become a stronger influence and catalyst for change. 

This 4-week course will include two 60-minute interactive online sessions:

• Week 2 - Strengths at work in the Library -Thursday, Feb. 27 - 11am-12pm, PST (12-1pm MST, 1-2pm CST, 2-3pm EST)
• Week 4 - Leading Change - Thursday, March 13 - 11am-12pm, PST (12-1pm MST, 1-2pm CST, 2-3pm EST)

By the end of this course, learners will:

• Identify and practice their unique and authentic leadership style
• Build practical skills in bringing out the best in others
• Commit to core values that can drive meaningful work
• Plan to apply change management strategies
• Recognize the importance of participation in broader community initiatives
• Cultivate a professional peer network with other rural and small library folks

This interactive 4-week course will have both synchronous and asynchronous components including readings, videos, discussion forums, online workshops, and assignment options that apply to your work. The instructor will be accessible to assist attendees as needed. Learners will be provided with essential resources, best practices, and useful tips and techniques that can be applied immediately in their library.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Orientation to LEADERS with a growth mindset
  • Distinguish between fixed and growth mindset
  • LEADERS Model
  • Identify behaviors of effective leaders
  • High5 Strengths Test
  • Define your natural leadership style
  • Determine how you will practice LEADERS behavior in your work
• Week 2: Strengths at Work in the Library
  • Defining leading, managing, and coaching
  • Plan for using strengths with intention in work
  • Identify and leverage other’s strengths
  • Practice coaching others based on strengths
• Week 3: Your Core Values & Mission
  • Identify core values that motivate decisions and behaviors
  • Develop a plan for using values with more intention in daily work
  • Gain strategies to navigate values conflicts with others
  • Draft a personal mission statement
  • Consider how values & mission drive your organization
• Week 4: Leading Change
  • Assess strengths and needs of the library
  • Leverage a project management tool to plan for change
  • Discover opportunities for leadership projects and activities 
  • Plan for taking your library leadership to the next level

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 1/2 hours per week, for a total of fifteen course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Library staff in small rural public libraries Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details

Do you work in a rural or tribal library? If so, you may be eligible for a no-cost seat in this course. Each course has up to five no-cost seats allocated for rural or tribal libraries. Fill out a fee waiver request, and if a no-cost seat is available you will be notified via email.