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ALA Emerging Leaders Program

The ALA Emerging Leaders (EL) program is a leadership development program which enables newer library workers from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. It puts participants on the fast track to ALA committee volunteerism as well as other professional library-related organizations.

The EL program kicks off with a daylong session during the ALA Midwinter Meeting. Afterward, it grows and develops in an online learning and networking environment for six months. The program culminates with a poster session presentation to display the results of the project planning work of each group at the ALA Annual Conference.

Participants commit to participating in all aspects of the program. Participants may be offered an opportunity to serve on an ALA, division, chapter, or round table committee, taskforce or workgroup as well as other library-related groups upon completion of program.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee seeks diversity based on geography, gender, ethnicity and type of library. Particular attention is given to candidates' personal statements as well as those of their references. No more than one person from any institution can be selected for participation in the program.

In order to be eligible for participation in the program, those selected must meet the following criteria:

Be under 35 years of age or be a new library professional of any age with fewer than 5 years of experience working at a professional or paraprofessional level in a library and
Be able to attend both ALA conferences and work virtually in between the two conferences and
Be prepared to commit to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter, or Round Table committee, taskforce or workgroup, or your state or local library organization upon completion of program, and
Be an ALA member or join upon selection if not already a member.

Applying to the Program

Applications for the next class of Emerging Leaders will be available in mid-April. Deadline for submission of online application and all references is July 31. All reference letters should be submitted online by the same deadline.