Emerging Leader participants for Class of 2014 announced

For Immediate Release
Wed, 11/06/2013

Contact:

Beatrice Calvin

Program Officer

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment

280-4280

bcalvin@ala.org

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has selected 56 people to participate in its 2014 class of Emerging Leaders.  The program is designed to enable library staff and information workers to participate in project planning workgroups; network with peers; gain an inside look into ALA structure and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers.

The program kicks off with a day-long session during the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.  Following the kickoff session, which includes orientation and training, the program will continue in an online learning and networking environment for six months, culminating with a poster session with the 2014 Emerging Leaders showcasing the results of their project planning work at the ALA 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Participants commit to taking part in all aspects of the program and may have an opportunity to serve on an ALA, division, chapter, round table or affiliate committee or workgroup upon completion of program.

ALA Past-President, program facilitator and subcommittee Co-Chair, Maureen Sullivan, stated: “This very successful program has enabled a number of very talented new professionals to assume leadership positions in ALA at earlier career stage. These individuals have brought fresh ideas, new approaches and significant energy to the association. I welcome this next class and look forward to working with them.”

Nearly 70 percent of this year’s participants have received sponsorships. The sponsors included ALA divisions, roundtables, state chapters, ALA affiliate groups and other organizations. Each sponsor commits to financial support of an Emerging Leader in order to help defray costs for attending the ALA Midwinter Meeting and the Annual Conference.

Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders subcommittee, Audra Caplan, said, “I am very pleased to welcome the 2014 class of Emerging Leaders.  The success of past participants of the program attest to the value of the program.  Many past participants are now in leadership positions in ALA and its Divisions and Roundtables.  In addition many of the projects completed by past groups have been implemented successfully by the sponsoring organizations. I am gratified to know that the Emerging Leader program is stronger than ever."

Read the complete list of 2014 Class of Emerging Leader Participants (PDF).