Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overview
ALL-In is a professional development opportunity for library workers in the state of Arkansas designed to develop leadership skills in participants and enhance the delivery of library services for all Arkansans. The program is a year-long, intensive program that includes both face-to-face and virtual sessions. The institute is held every three years.
The Arkansas Library Leadership Institute is designed to give participants the following opportunities:
- Participate in leadership activities designed to enhance personal and organizational leadership capabilities;
- Develop a peer network that will carry forward into the future;
- Identify personal strengths and areas of natural talent through Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment tool to improve problem solving and communication skills resulting in the ability to build stronger teams and organizations;
- Read and discuss titles related to the Institute content;
- Create and implement a leadership development plan; and
- Present a short Capstone Presentation at the end of the Institute.
Who Should Apply
ALL-In is designed for library workers in the state of Arkansas who are enthusiastic about libraries, service oriented, willing to think about library services in creative ways, and who want to grow as leaders by:
- Identifying both personal strengths and areas for development;
- Improving the ability to communicate and connect with coworkers and library stakeholders throughout the community; and
- Growing one’s vision of excellent library service through a peer learning experience to guide and enhance local library services.
The Institute is not just for library workers with an MLS or with “Director” or “Manager” in their titles, or for front line staff. Past participants have included catalogers, reference librarians, directors, and more. No title is too large or too small to be considered for the Institute.
Applicants with between two and ten years of library experience are preferred, but exceptional candidates with more or less experience will be accepted into the program.
Library staff from all types of libraries are encouraged to apply. Past participants have come from public, academic, school, and special libraries, and both public and private institutions.
Institute Format
The course content will be delivered in a series of face-to-face and virtual workshops over the course of thirteen months from April 2022-April 2023. Training will consist of two (2) in-residence, three-day workshops to be held at the beginning and ending of the program year; two (2) six-hour workshops between in-residence sessions; and three virtual training sessions via Zoom.
Participants will have assigned reading and group projects between each meeting and should expect to spend about 4-6 hours per month on Institute activities.
Dates & Location
Face-to-face sessions will be held at a variety of locations:
- April 6-8, 2022, DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Bismarck
- July 29, 2022, Central Arkansas Library System Main Library, Little Rock
- October 13, 2022, Fort Smith Public Library, Fort Smith
- February 15, 2023, Arkansas State Library, Little Rock
- April 12-14, 2023, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville
Virtual sessions will be held via Zoom throughout the year.
Cost
Due to the stresses of COVID-19 on local budgets, the Arkansas State Library will not charge any tuition for the 2022 program. Participants or their libraries will be responsible for transportation to and from workshops; all other expenses including meals and lodging are covered by the Arkansas State Library with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
While there are no monetary costs for participants or their employing library other than transportation, participants will outlay their time, consistent engagement, and dedication to growing themselves and others as leaders. The employing library agrees to support the participant’s commitment to the Institute by allowing the participant to attend the Institute and complete Institute tasks on the library’s time, and to encourage the participant to apply the learned concepts from the Institute in the library and the community.
Applicant Selection
Applicants will be selected to participate in a competitive application process. The Arkansas State Library seeks a diversity of participants from geography, type of library, groups that have been historically marginalized or excluded due to ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, economic background, educational attainment, and age.
Applications will be available at the top of this page on August 13, 2021. Applications are due by 10 a.m. CDT on October 1, 2021. Applicants will be notified of acceptance status on or before November 5, 2021.
For more information, contact:
- Jennifer Wann
- Manager of Library Development
- [email protected] or (501) 682-5288
