FAQ: PLA Leadership Academy, 2025
Q- Looking ahead to 2026: When and where will the next Leadership Academy be held?
A- The next Leadership Academy dates and location have not been determined.
Q- I applied for the 2025 cohort. When will I know if I was accepted?
A- Check your email for a message from PLA. Decisions will be communicated on 8/15/2025.
Q – What is the deadline to submit my application?
A – APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. To be considered for the Leadership Academy, we must receive your completed application and letters of reference by July 6th at 11:59 pm Central Time.
Q – How do I apply?
A – To apply for the Leadership Academy, you must sign in with your apply.ala.org profile or create one, and complete an application before the deadline.
Q – Do I need to be a member of PLA to apply for the Leadership Academy?
A – Yes. Visit the PLA Membership page to learn how to enroll or renew https://www.ala.org/pla/membercenter/join.
Q: I am a director. Am I eligible to apply?
A -- Anyone who meets the selection criteria is eligible to apply. The Academy is designed for mid-career leadership, which may include new directors or directors looking to move to a different institution. PLA encourages anyone who is interested and eligible to apply.
Q – How will my application be reviewed?
A – Applications will be reviewed by a team comprised of PLA member-leaders, members of the PLA Leadership Development Committee, past PLA Leadership Academy fellows, and PLA staff. Their decision will be based on the quality and appropriateness of your submitted application and your letters of support.
Q – When and how will I be notified regarding the status of my application?
A—All applicants will be notified of their status on or before August 15th using the email address provided on their application. If your email changes, please update your apply.ala.org profile.
Q – If I am not selected, will I be placed on a waitlist?
A—We will offer a limited number of spots on our waitlist for the PLA Leadership Academy. If you are placed on our waitlist, you will be notified on or before September 12th, 2025. If we can accept applicants from the wait list, we will contact you of any openings.
Q- Do I have to have an MLS to participate?
A – No, you do not need an MLS to participate.
Q- Must I work in a public library to apply?
A – Yes, only people currently employed in a public library with at least 5 years of experience are eligible to apply.
Q – What is the registration fee to attend PLA Leadership Academy?
A – The registration fee for the PLA Leadership Academy is $4,500.
Q- What is included in the registration fee?
A – The registration fee covers 4 hotel nights, breakfast and lunch each day of the Academy, two off-site networking events, 2 dinners, and one reception.
Q- What is not covered by the registration fee
A- Two dinners, airport transportation, ground transportation, and any other incidental expenses are not covered by the registration fee
Q – How do I pay my registration fees?
A- If you are accepted, you will receive an email with details on how to submit your payment.
Q – When are registration fees due?
A- On or before September 30th, 2025.
Q- Do I have to stay at the Academy Hotel?
A- Yes, all participants will stay at the Omni Hotel. The Leadership Academy is an intensive, residential cohort experience.
Q- Do I need to book my own hotel room?
A—No. Once you accept your spot in the Academy and pay your registration fee, PLA will add you to its rooming list.
Q- Who are the Leadership Academy Coaches?
A – A national group of current public library leaders make up the coaching corps.
Q- Who is the Leadership Academy facilitator
A – Dr. Adam Goodman, Director of Northwestern University's Center for Leadership and a Clinical Professor in the McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science. Dr. Goodman is our Leadership Academy facilitator and lead content developer.
You can learn more about him here: https://lead.northwestern.edu/about-us/faculty-staff/profiles/goodman-adam.html
Q- What have past participants said about the Leadership Academy?
“As a new director, I need all the help I can get, and the PLA Leadership Academy is pretty darn good help! I am very grateful that I was able to have such high-quality training several months before starting as a director!”
“The knowledge and experience gained from this Academy has allowed me to put what I learned into practice and serve as a model for others in management, my direct reports, and even leaders in other agencies outside of the library. Additionally, connecting with others at the Academy has allowed me to build my network following the Academy experience and further my research and efforts for my library.”
“Participation in the Academy has helped re-frame my outlook toward community partners and will continue to help me grow as a leader in the organization.”
Q—I won't be able to attend Leadership Academy this year, but I'm still interested in getting involved with PLA. What are some other ways I can get involved with PLA?
A – For other opportunities to get involved with PLA, visit http://www.ala.org/pla/getinvolved or PLA programs and events. If you are interested in becoming a contributor to Public Libraries Online, complete a submission at: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/contribute/.
Q – What can I do if I still have questions?
A – If the answer to your question is not covered in the FAQs above, please email plaacademy@ala.org.
Learn more about PLA at http://www.ala.org/pla/about
Learn more about Leadership Development at http://www.ala.org/pla/leadership/development
