For immediate release:
January 30, 2009

For more information, contact:
Julia C. Blixrud
Association of Research Libraries
202-296-2296
jblix@arl.org

Download a PDF of this release

ARL Research Library Leadership Fellows Program Applications Available for 2009–2010

Deadline March 6, 2009

Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is again offering its two-year executive leadership program, Research Library Leadership Fellows (RLLF), designed to prepare emerging talented leaders to step into senior-level positions in large research libraries. The 2009–2010 program is being jointly designed and sponsored by directors of the following ARL member libraries: Brigham Young University, University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Houston, University of Michigan, University of Utah, and University of Western Ontario.

Within the multidimensional RLLF program structure, fellows will:

• extend their professional skill- and experience-base, enabling more effective leadership in a major research library;
• engage the major challenges and pressures currently facing research libraries in concert with some of the top library leaders who are shaping contemporary responses to these challenges;
• better understand the dynamics and politics of campus life in several of the leading research libraries of North America;
• create a network of colleagues to discuss and debate the critical issues and current trends facing research libraries;
• explore innovative and entrepreneurial techniques needed to support the future direction of research libraries; and
• develop a clearer understanding of what it takes to be a successful research library director.

The RLLF curriculum is designed to build on self-assessment and exploration of a personal and professional area of interest in the context of a group learning setting. ARL faculty, library leaders, and sponsoring library directors integrate the fellows’ learning goals with the "big picture" issues that are most pressing for future leaders of large research libraries. These topics are the focus of institutes that are designed and facilitated by leaders active in the research library community. The RLLF curriculum is enhanced through short site visits to one or more ARL libraries, attendance at ARL Membership Meetings and other gatherings, and additional activities to complement in-person events.

The RLLF program is designed for middle managers and above who have track records of leadership contribution and are ready to explore and prepare for senior-level leadership roles in research libraries. The 2009–2010 program will include 11 fellows from the sponsor institutions and up to 10 additional fellows will be selected from ARL libraries. United States and Canadian citizens are eligible for the program. Sponsor library directors will review and select applicants and the program’s first event will be an orientation in late May 2009.

The application deadline is March 6, 2009. Download the application information from the ARL Web site http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/rllf_app09-10.pdf.

For more information about the program, see http://www.arl.org/leadership/rllf/ or contact Julia Blixrud, ARL Assistant Executive Director, External Relations, jblix@arl.org.

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.