Leadership by PALS
The PaLA Academy of Leadership Studies (PALS) offers leadership development for librarians. PALS driving philosophy is that leadership is a choice we make not a position we hold. Since its introduction in 2009, the PALS programs have sought to mentor librarians from all walks of life and encourage them to become active participants and leaders in their own right.
What began as a 3.5-day workshop for new librarians has quickly grown and expanded to include a second 3.5-day workshop for directors and a one day work shop for support staff. It is the hope of the PALS Planning Committee to continue to develop these programs and to help enlighten and empower Pennsylvania’s librarians by giving them all the tools they need to be a leader both personally and professionally.
This program is open to directors and top library leaders in all types of libraries. Assistant directors, branch managers, academic head librarians, district consultants, or those in key library management positions that may include duties related to library finances, employee hiring, and discipline responsibilities are those who will benefit most from this program.
Who should attend?
This popular program is open to directors and top library leaders in all types of libraries for up to 30 participants and will be in-person. Assistant directors, branch managers, academic head librarians, district consultants, or those in key library management positions that may include duties related to library finances, employee hiring, and discipline responsibilities are those who will benefit most from this program. There will also be content for public library directors related to working with boards of trustees.
What will I learn?
Learn to use your Clifton strengths (assessment is included in the program fees) for personal and organizational success, be inspired by PA library leaders/coaches, and ask the leadership coaches questions on a wide array of subjects. Our focus includes public library specifics of boards of trustees, budgeting and community relationships with elected officials and others. Participants will have time for small group discussions and cohort conversations, and leadership materials will be provided.
How do I participate?
This sought-after program includes all meals, single occupancy lodging, custom content, supplies and professional facilitation and has a direct value of more than $1500 per person. However, we are pleased to offer the following discounted rates thanks to grant support:
- PaLA Individual Member: $325 Early Bird | $350 after March 3 (Be sure to log-in before registering to activate the member discount)
- Non-Member* $425 Early Bird | $450 after March 3 (Staff of eligible PaLA institutional members may use a PaLA Bucks Code to obtain the member rate. Contact the PaLA office at 717-766-7663 to obtain more information on this program.)
All candidates should complete and submit the online registration form by March 24. Please note that registration is limited to just 30 participants.
- Program starts Sunday, May 4 at 5 pm and ends Tuesday, May 6 at 1:30 pm. Participants are expected to stay onsite for the full program which includes some evening activities.
- Additional opportunities to learn from experienced mentors is offered through exclusive virtual sessions after the in-person sessions. This extended learning and cohort development is a highly-valued benefit!
Deadlines/Important Dates
- March 3, 2025: EARLY BIRD Discount Ends!
- March 24, 2025: Final day for Payment, Registration, or Cancellation
- April 18, 2025: Prework (Clifton Strengths' Assessment) deadline
Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to admin@palibraries.org by March 24 and are subject to a cancellation fee of $40.
Safety
- We encourage all attendees to be up to date on COVID related vaccinations.
- Masking will be the choice of each participant and we will respect each other’s choices. Disposable masks will be available on site.
- Lodging arrangements are single occupancy rooms.
- All meals are provided as part of the program and will be in a group setting to meet grant educational requirements.
Just a few of the things people are saying about PALS:
“A crash course in everything you wish you’d been told on Day One of being hired!” – Pamela Bodziock
“The Leadership Academy helped me gain the confidence I needed to be an effective leader, but it also showed me that I had that within me the whole time.” – Andreana Duffy
"PALS is a must for networking as well as getting to know more about yourself as a leader. I could never have done this from a remote location. PALS gets you out of your comfort zone and then expands your comfort zone so you will be sad when it's over. I would never have believed this, but I made many valued friends and accomplished a great deal in an unbelievably short time." – Michael Celec
“The Directors’ Institute provided an opportunity to grow and learn new skills in management and planning, and also to network and expand upon the colleagues that you can reach out to for advice and input.” – Susan Jeffery
“PALS is an absolutely transformative experience. It’s like no other leadership training I have ever experienced in my life and it left me re-energized and excited for my future” – Rebecca Calfe, Leadership Academy 2017
“It’s wonderful in the short term to watch participants come in as strangers and leave as friends. In the long term, it’s great to watch their careers take off.” – Janis Stubbs, Directors’ Institute Mentor
Ready to find out more?
Questions about PALS programs can be addressed to the AWESOME volunteer planning committee.
This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, Governor.