Community: PLA Leadership Academy, 2025
Community
PLA’s Leadership Academy community is comprised of accomplished and ambitious public library leaders united by a shared journey of discovery, ready to make a purposeful career transition. Each member shares a commitment to investing in their personal growth and the advancement of their cohort members.
Since its establishment in 2013, five academies have been held, and 142 leaders have graduated from the program. A majority of graduates have seen job growth or career advancement since completing the program.
TESTIMONIALS
“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!”
“Thank you for this awesome experience. The Leadership Academy came along at the perfect time in my career. I wasn’t ready for it when I started managing, but I am now, and [this experience] is going to help me for years to come.”
“The knowledge and experience gained from this Academy have 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.”
The 2025 Cohort
The 2025 cohort will consist of 28 individuals from a broad spectrum of public library backgrounds and experiences. Beyond the larger cohort, each participant will be assigned to a group of no more than five peers and one coach.
PLA has assembled a corps of experienced public library leaders to serve as professional coaches. These coaches will participate in the in-person program and provide professional insight and support.
Cohort members will support one another outside of the four-day program. Each cohort member shares resources and aids other members in navigating their next steps, opportunities, and obstacles.
After the in-person program, cohort members will continue to connect and network with their cohort and coach virtually. PLA will offer opportunities for the community to come together.
Past participants have reflected that this aspect has been just as important as the in-person program and has propelled collective leadership development and meaningful friendships.
