Embarking on a journey of professional growth can be transformative, especially when it’s through a program designed to cultivate leadership skills and broaden perspectives. The Association of Research Libraries’ Leadership and Career Development Program (LCDP), now often referred to as the Arl University Career Experience Program, offers a unique year-long experience for mid-career librarians seeking to elevate their careers. As a proud member of the 2018-2019 cohort, aptly named “The Disruptors,” I am eager to share insights into this impactful program. This experience was not just a series of workshops; it was a comprehensive journey encompassing orientations, intensive institutes, personalized career coaching, and a culminating capstone event. The ARL University Career Experience Program provided a platform to learn from diverse challenges and celebrate collective successes, forging a network of colleagues who continue to be invaluable on my professional path.
The program brings together a diverse cohort of librarians, primarily from ARL member institutions across the United States and Canada. Specifically tailored for librarians of color at the mid-career stage, the ARL University Career Experience Program focuses on leadership development within the academic library context. For me, and for many of my peers, the program was truly eye-opening. It offered perspectives that would have been unattainable in isolation and fostered a collaborative environment for learning and growth. The connections forged within our cohort are a lasting benefit, providing a reliable support system as we navigate our evolving careers.
Our journey commenced with an orientation in Washington, D.C., a crucial initial step for the 24 fellows to connect and set the stage for the year ahead. This orientation was designed to foster camaraderie, establish shared learning objectives, and collectively map out our program experience. We collaboratively identified key topics for exploration, ranging from strategic planning to open access and fundraising, and engaged in foundational discussions about leadership principles. The orientation, along with numerous subsequent sessions, was expertly facilitated by Mark Puente, Director of Diversity and Leadership Programs at ARL, and DeEtta Jones. Their dynamic partnership created an engaging and supportive learning environment, making complex facilitation look effortless.
The first Leadership Institute took place at The Ohio State University Library. Experiencing Ohio in December provided an invigorating backdrop for intensive learning. This institute was deeply focused on management and leadership competencies, covering essential topics such as emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. We had the privilege of hearing from esteemed library leaders including Damon Jaggars, John Cawthorne, Jose Diaz, Deidra Herring, and Alexia Hudson-Ward, gaining insights from their diverse experiences and leadership styles. A highlight of the Ohio institute was a guided tour of the newly renovated Thompson Memorial Library, a building that beautifully juxtaposes tradition and modernity. Its architectural duality, with a classic façade blending into a contemporary design of concrete, metal, and glass, was a powerful symbol of embracing both heritage and future innovation. Adding a personal touch to the experience, my assigned career coach, Eileen Theodore-Shusta from Ohio University, made the trip to Columbus to meet for dinner. This early connection with my coach was invaluable, providing personalized guidance and support from the outset. Even the winter chill couldn’t dampen the enjoyment of frozen custard in good company!
The second Leadership Institute convened at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Visiting the Canadian plains in May, as nature was in full bloom, was visually stunning. An unexpected aspect of this institute was the extended daylight hours, with sunsets occurring as late as 10:00 pm, a novelty for someone unaccustomed to such long days. This institute was skillfully facilitated by Kathryn Deiss and Melanie Hawks. Kathryn Deiss, a founder of the Minnesota Leadership Institute, shared her extensive expertise and perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusivity, enriching our understanding of these critical areas. We also benefited greatly from the insights of Dale Askey, University Librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries, who shared his professional journey, emphasizing the importance of preparation, perseverance, ambition, and calculated risk-taking in leadership.
A particularly impactful component of the Alberta institute was the Kairos Blanket Exercise. This immersive, participatory learning experience provided a powerful and emotional understanding of Indigenous history and the impact of colonization. Through simulated scenarios, participants experienced the displacement and loss suffered by First Nations communities due to disease, dispossession, and governmental policies. The exercise included reading aloud firsthand accounts of historical injustices, which resonated deeply and fostered a profound sense of empathy and awareness. More information about the Kairos Blanket Exercise can be found at kairosblanketexercise.org. This exercise, combined with learning about the Canadian government’s reconciliation efforts with First Nations, offered significant insights into historical and ongoing issues of social justice and reconciliation.
Beyond the institutes, the ARL University Career Experience Program incorporated several key elements designed to enhance individual leadership development. Each fellow participated in a Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), a 360-degree assessment tool providing comprehensive feedback on their leadership skills. This assessment involved input from supervisors, colleagues, and direct reports, offering a multifaceted view of each fellow’s leadership strengths and areas for development. For many of us, this detailed feedback was a novel and highly valuable experience.
A cornerstone of the program was the pairing of each fellow with a Career Coach—an experienced librarian in a leadership role. These coaches served as mentors, offering guidance and sharing their leadership and administrative expertise. An integral part of this coaching relationship was a visit by the fellow to their coach’s institution. I had the privilege of being mentored by Eileen Theodore-Shusta at Ohio University. As Director of Planning, Assessment, and Organizational Effectiveness, Eileen provided invaluable insights into library administration and management, particularly from a human resources perspective. My visit to the picturesque Ohio University campus was enriching, including tours of their Archives, Special Collections, Digital Archives, and even their Southeast Asia Collection.
The Equity Toolkit was another essential component of the ARL University Career Experience Program. Interspersed between the institutes, we engaged in webinars and learning modules from the Equity Toolkit, developed by DeEtta Jones and Associates. This toolkit covered critical topics such as cultural competence, bias in the workplace, and inclusive management practices. Utilizing a mix of videos, readings, quizzes, and reflective exercises, the Equity Toolkit was rich in content and facilitated significant self-discovery and learning. Webinars were also conducted, inviting fellows, career coaches, supervisors, and upper-level administrators to participate, broadening the conversation and fostering a more inclusive dialogue beyond the immediate cohort.
The program culminated in the Capstone Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C. This final gathering served as both a farewell and a celebration of our collective journey. It was at the Capstone that our cohort officially embraced the moniker “The Disruptors.” We had the unique opportunity to attend the ARL Directors’ evening reception and participate in the Fall ARL Association meeting, sitting alongside esteemed library directors. Jennifer Garrett, Director of Talent Management at North Carolina State University, eloquently presented the ARL University Career Experience Program to the Library Directors, and Elaine Westbrooks, University Librarian of UNC Chapel Hill’s Library, shared her experiences as a career coach and reflected on her own time as an ARL LCDP fellow, providing a powerful sense of continuity and legacy. Following these formal events, we reconvened as a cohort to reflect on our shared experiences and strategize for the future challenges and opportunities ahead.
As we move forward, the question remains: How do we sustain this momentum and continue our growth? The answer lies in taking it “one step at a time. With each other.” The ARL University Career Experience Program is more than just a program; it is a catalyst for ongoing leadership development and a testament to the power of community and shared learning.
I extend my sincere gratitude to my former dean, Catherine Quinlan at the University of Southern California, and Duke University Libraries for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. It is upon the foundation built by visionary leaders and forward-thinking institutions that we can confidently face the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead in the world of academic libraries and beyond.
