Virginia Library Leadership Academy

VLA’s first bi-annual Virginia Library Leadership Academy (VALLA) took place April 19th and 20th in the Queen Anne Room of the English Inn in Charlottesville.  Twenty-three library leaders-in-training learned what steps are necessary  to take in successfully directing their careers to best serve themselves, their libraries, and the library community.
 
Dr. Robert Burgin developed and lead the Academy.  He included a variety of teaching methods; lecture, problem-solving, and small group work.  His wide variety of topics were focused on bringing the participants to the next level of their professional development.  The fundamentals of, and differences between, leadership and management were discussed.  Many tools and strategies were presented.
 
The second half of the Academy, taking place during the next twelve months, will have the leaders-in-training complete projects they have developed with their mentors.  The goal of these projects is to bring a significant benefit to Virginia libraries.  A more in depth article on the first Academy will appear in an upcoming issue of Virginia Libraries